Mycobacterial antigens expressed under low oxygen tension

ABSTRACT

A method is provided for identifying mycobacterial genes that are induced or up-regulated under continuous culture conditions defined by a dissolved oxygen tension of up to 10% air saturation measured at 37° C. when compared with a dissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% air saturation measured at 37° C. Said induced or up-regulated genes form the basis of nucleic acid vaccines, or provide targets to allow preparation of attenuated mycobacteria for vaccines against mycobacterial infections. Similarly, peptides encoded by said induced or up-regulated genes are employed in vaccines. In a further embodiment, the identified genes/peptides provide the means for identifying the presence of a mycobacterial infection in a clinical sample by nucleic acid probe or antibody detection.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. National Phase of International PublicationNo. WO 03/000721 A2, filed as PCT/GB02/02845 on Jun. 21, 2002.

The present invention relates to a method of identifying a gene inmycobacteria the expression of which gene is induced or up-regulatedduring continuous culture of mycobacteria under growth conditionsdefined by a low dissolved oxygen tension, to the isolated peptideproducts, variants, derivatives or fragments thereof, to antibodies thatbind to said peptides, variants, derivatives or fragments, to DNA andRNA vectors that express said peptides, variants, derivatives orfragment, to attenuated mycobacteria in which the activity of at leastone of said induced or up-regulated genes has been modified, to vaccinesagainst mycobacterial infections, and to methods of detecting amycobacterial infection.

Many microorganisms are capable of forming intracellular infections.These include: infections caused by species of Salmonella, Yersinia,Shigella, Campylobacter, Chlamydia and Mycobacteria. Some of theseinfections are exclusively intracellular, others contain bothintracellular and extracellular components. However, it is theintracellular survival cycle of bacterial infection which is suspectedas a main supportive factor for disease progression.

Generally, these microorganisms do not circulate freely in the body, forexample, in the bloodstream, and are often not amenable to drugtreatment regimes. Where drugs are available, this problem has beenexacerbated by the development of multiple drug resistantmicroorganisms.

A number of factors have contributed to the problem of microbialresistance. One is the accumulation of mutations over time and thesubsequent horizontal and vertical transfer of the mutated genes toother organisms. Thus, for a given pathogen, entire classes ofantibiotics have been rendered inactive. A further factor has been theabsence of a new class of antibiotics in recent years. The emergence ofmultiple drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria represents a serious threatto public health and new forms of therapy are urgently required.

For similar reasons, vaccine therapies have not proved effective againstsuch intracellular microorganisms. Also, increased systemicconcentration of antibiotics to improve bioavailability within cells mayresult in severe side effects.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis and closely related species make up a smallgroup of mycobacteria known as the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex(MTC). This group comprises four species M. tuberculosis, M. microti, M.bovis and M. africanum which are the causative agent in the majority oftuberculosis (TB) cases throughout the world.

M. tuberculosis is responsible for more than three million deaths a yearworldwide. Other mycobacteria are also pathogenic in man and animals,for example M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis which causes Johne'sdisease in ruminants, M. bovis which causes tuberculosis in cattle, M.avium and M. intracellulare which cause tuberculosis inimmunocompromised patients (eg. AIDS patients, and bone marrowtransplant patients) and M. leprae which causes leprosy in humans.Another important mycobacterial species is M. vaccae.

M. tuberculosis infects macrophage cells within the body. Soon aftermacrophage infection, most M. tuberculosis bacteria enter, persist andreplicate within cellular phagosome vesicles, where the bacteria aresequestered from host defences and extracellular factors.

It is the intracellular survival and multiplication or replication ofbacterial infection which is suspected as a main supportive factor formycobacterial disease progression.

A number of drug therapy regimens have been proposed for combatting M.tuberculosis infections, and currently combination therapy including thedrug isoniazid has proved most effective. However, one problem with suchtreatment regimes is that they are long-term, and failure to completesuch treatment can promote the development of multiple drug resistantmicroorganisms.

A further problem is that of providing an adequate bioavailability ofthe drug within the cells to be treated. Whilst it is possible toincrease the systemic concentration of a drug (eg. by administering ahigher dosage) this may result in severe side effects caused by theincreased drug concentration.

The effectiveness of vaccine prevention against M. tuberculosis hasvaried widely. The current M. tuberculosis vaccine, BCG, is anattenuated strain of M. bovis. It is effective against severecomplications of TB in children, but it varies greatly in itseffectiveness in adults particularly across ethnic groups. BCGvaccination has been used to prevent tuberculous meningitis and helpsprevent the spread of M. tuberculosis to extra-pulmonary sites, but doesnot prevent infection.

The limited efficacy of BCG and the global prevalence of TB has led toan international effort to generate new, more effective vaccines. Thecurrent paradigm is that protection will be mediated by the stimulationof a Th1 immune response.

BCG vaccination in man was given orally when originally introduced, butthat route was discontinued because of loss of viable BCG during gastricpassage and of frequent cervical adenopathy. In experimental animalspecies, aerosol or intra-tracheal delivery of BCG has been achievedwithout adverse effects, but has varied in efficacy from superiorprotection than parenteral inoculation in primates, mice and guinea pigsto no apparent advantage over the subcutaneous route in other studies.

Conventional mycobacterial culture systems for analysing gene andprotein expression profiles have been based on simple batch-typesystems, such as those described in:—Sherman, D. R. et al (2001) PNAS,vol. 98, no. 13, pp. 7534-7539; Boon, C. et al (2001) J. Bacteriol, vol.183, no. 8, pp. 2672-2676; Cunningham, A. F. et al (1998) J. Bacteriol,vol. 180, no. 4, pp. 801-808; and Murugasu-Oei, B. et al (1999) Mol.Gen. Genet, vol. 262, pp. 677-682. In these batch-type systems,mycobacterial growth follows a typical sigmoid growth curve involving anexponential growth phase and a stationary phase. The transition fromexponential phase to stationary phase involves rapid and transientswitches in terms of gene and protein expression, which switches areinitiated by a complex set of undefined or poorly defined interactivestimuli as the mycobacteria become starved of essential nutrients.

There is therefore a need for an improved and/or alternative vaccine ortherapeutic agent for combatting mycobacterial infections.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided anisolated mycobacterial peptide or a fragment, derivative or variantthereof, wherein the peptide is encoded by a gene the expression ofwhich is induced or up-regulated during culture of a mycobacterium undercontinuous culture conditions defined by a dissolved oxygen tension ofup to 10% air saturation measured at 37° C. when compared with adissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% air saturation measured at 37°C.

The continuous culture methods employed by the present invention areparticularly advantageous when compared with batch culture methods. Thisis because continuous culture permits strict control of growth cultureparameters such as pH, available nutrients, constant growth rate, anddissolved oxygen tension.

Thus, in use of the present invention it is possible to ensure that theprincipal, preferably the only mycobacterial virulence inductionparameter is that of a low dissolved oxygen tension. This means that theaccidental induction or up-regulation of genes that are solelyresponsive to environmental switches other than to a low dissolvedoxygen tension may be substantially prevented. Accordingly,false-positive identification of genes whose induction or up-regulationis unrelated to a low dissolved oxygen tension may be substantiallyavoided.

Mycobacterial batch culture systems involve a variety of interactivestimuli as the mycobacteria become starved of essential nutrients. As aresult, the mycobacteria are exposed to a complex range of starvationstimuli, which stimuli may obscure or modify the cellular effectsassociated with a single rapid or transient stimulus in isolation. Incontrast, the present invention concerns the principal stimulus ofoxygen limitation.

A further distinction between the continuous culture conditions of thepresent invention and batch-type systems is that the present inventionemploys oxygen limitation as the principal stimulus and does not involveoxygen starvation. During oxygen limitation, the mycobacteria arecapable of growth and reproduction, and the present invention thereforemaintains mycobacterial growth under carefully controlled environmentalconditions. In contrast, mycobacteria do not substantially grow andreproduce when exposed to starvation stimuli such as those experiencedwith batch-type culture systems. Such starvation stimuli are typicallyassociated with stress-type environmental conditions, and invokemycobacterial cellular responses that are different from thoseassociated with nutrient limitation.

The dissolved oxygen tension parameter is calculated by means of anoxygen electrode and conventional laboratory techniques. Thus, 100% airsaturation corresponds to a solution that is saturated with air, whereas0% corresponds to a solution that has been thoroughly purged with aninert gas such as nitrogen. Calibration is performed under standardatmospheric pressure conditions, and with conventional air comprisingapproximately 21% oxygen.

The low oxygen tension induction conditions of the present invention areculture conditions which are conducive for a mycobacterium to express atleast one gene which would be normally expressed in vivo duringinfection of the mycobacterium's natural target cell, which the presentinventors believe to involve a low oxygen environment.

The terms “isolated,” “substantially pure,” and “substantiallyhomogenous” are used interchangeably to describe a peptide which hasbeen separated from components which naturally accompany it. A peptideis substantially pure when at least about 60 to 75% of a sample exhibitsa single peptide sequence. A substantially pure peptide will typicallycomprise about 60 to 90% w/w of a protein sample, more usually about95%, and preferably will be over about 99% pure. Peptide purity orhomogeneity may be indicated by, for example, polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis of a protein sample, followed by visualizing a singlepolypeptide band upon staining the gel. Alternatively, higher resolutionmay be provided by using, for example, HPLC.

A peptide is considered to be isolated when it is separated from thecontaminants which accompany it in its natural state. Thus, a peptidewhich is chemically synthesized or synthesized in a cellular systemdifferent from the cell from which it naturally originates will besubstantially free from its naturally associated components.

The present invention provides peptides which may be purified frommycobacteria as well as from other types of cells transformed withrecombinant nucleic acids encoding these peptides.

If desirable, the amino acid sequence of the proteins of the presentinvention may be determined by protein sequencing methods.

The terms “peptide”, “oligopeptide”, “polypeptide”, and “protein” areused interchangeably and do not refer to a specific length of theproduct. These terms embrace post-translational modifications such asglycosylation, acetylation, and phosphorylation.

The term “fragment” means a peptide having at least five, preferably atleast ten, more preferably at least twenty, and most preferably at leastthirty-five amino acid residues of the peptide which is the gene productof the induced or up-regulated gene in question. The fragment preferablyincludes an epitope of the gene product in question.

The term “variant” means a peptide or peptide “fragment” having at leastseventy, preferably at least eighty, more preferably at least ninetypercent amino acid sequence homology with the peptide which is the geneproduct of the induced or up-regulated gene in question. An example of a“variant” is a peptide or peptide fragment of an induced/up-regulatedgene which contains one or more analogs of an amino acid (eg. anunnatural amino acid), or a substituted linkage. The terms “homology”and “identity” are considered synonymous in this specification. In afurther embodiment, a “variant” may be a mimic of the peptide or peptidefragment, which mimic reproduces at least one epitope of the peptide orpeptide fragment. The mimic may be, for example, a nucleic acid mimic,preferably a DNA mimic.

For sequence comparison, typically one sequence acts as a referencesequence, to which test sequences may be compared. When using a sequencecomparison algorithm, test and reference sequences are input into acomputer, subsequent coordinates are designated, if necessary, andsequence algorithm program parameters are designated. The sequencecomparison algorithm then calculates the percentage sequence identityfor the test sequence(s) relative to the reference sequence, based onthe designated program parameters.

Optimal alignment of sequences for comparison may be conducted, forexample, by the local homology alignment algorithm of Smith. andWaterman [Adv. Appl. Math. 2: 484 (1981)], by the algorithm of Needleman& Wunsch [J. Mol. Biol. 48: 443 (1970)] by the search for similaritymethod of Pearson & Lipman [Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA 85: 2444(1988)], by computer implementations of these algorithms (GAP, BESTFIT,FASTA, and TFASTA—Sequence Analysis Software Package of the GeneticsComputer Group, University of Wisconsin Biotechnology Center, 1710University Avenue, Madison, Wis. 53705), or by visual inspection [seeCurrent Protocols in Molecular Biology, F. M. Ausbel et al, ads, CurrentProtocols, a joint venture between Greene Publishing Associates, In. AndJohn Wiley & Sons, Inc. (1995 Supplement) Ausbubel].

Examples of algorithms suitable for determining percent sequencesimilarity are the BLAST and the BLAST 2.0 algorithms [see Altschul(1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215: pp. 403-410].

In a preferred homology comparison, the identity exists over a region ofthe sequences that is at least 50 nucleotides in length.

The term “derivative” means a peptide comprising the peptide (orfragment, or variant thereof) which is the gene product of the inducedor up-regulated gene in question: Thus, a derivative may include thepeptide in question, and a further peptide sequence which may introduceone or more additional epitopes. The further peptide sequence shouldpreferably not interfere with the basic folding and thus conformationalstructure of the peptide in question. Examples of a “derivative” are afusion protein, a conjugate, and a graft. Thus, two or more peptides (orfragments, or variants) may be joined together to form a derivative.Alternatively, a peptide (or fragment, or variant) may be joined to anunrelated molecule (eg. a peptide). Derivatives may be chemicallysynthesized, but will be typically prepared by recombinant nucleic acidmethods. Additional components such as lipid, and/or polysaccharide,and/or polyketide components may be included.

All of the molecules “fragment”, “variant” and “derivative” have acommon antigenic cross-reactivity and/or substantially the same in vivobiological activity as the gene product of the induced or up-regulatedgene in question from which they are derived. For example, an antibodycapable of binding to a fragment, variant or derivative would be alsocapable of binding to the gene product of the induced or up-regulatedgene in question. It is a preferred feature that the fragment, variantand derivative each possess the active site of the peptide which is theinduced or up-regulated peptide in question. Alternatively, all of theabove embodiments of a peptide of the present invention share a commonability to induce a “recall response” of a T-lymphocyte which has beenpreviously exposed to an antigenic component of a mycobacterialinfection.

In a preferred embodiment, the peptide is selected from the groupconsisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25,27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61,63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, 85, 87, 89, 91, 93, 95, 97,99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 125,127, 129, 131, 133, 135, and 137.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provideda method of identifying a mycobacterial gene the expression of which isinduced or up-regulated during culture of a mycobacterium undercontinuous culture conditions defined by a dissolved oxygen tension ofup to 10% air saturation measured at 37° C. when compared with adissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% air saturation measured at 37°C., said method comprising:

-   -   culturing a first mycobacterium under continuous culture        conditions defined by a dissolved oxygen tension of up to 10%        air saturation measured at 37° C.;    -   culturing a second mycobacterium under continuous culture        conditions defined by a dissolved oxygen tension of at least 40%        air saturation measured at 37° C.;    -   obtaining first and second mRNA populations from said first and        second mycobacteria, respectively;    -   preparing first and second cDNA populations from said first and        second mRNA populations, respectively, during which cDNA        preparation a detectable label is introduced into the cDNA        molecules of the first and second cDNA populations;    -   isolating corresponding first and second cDNA molecules from the        first and second cDNA populations, respectively;    -   comparing relative amounts of label or corresponding signal        emitted from the label present in the isolated first and second        cDNA molecules;    -   identifying a greater amount of label or signal provided by the        isolated first cDNA molecule than that provided by the isolated        second cDNA molecule; and    -   identifying the first cDNA and the corresponding mycobacterial        gene which is induced or up-regulated during culture of a        mycobacterium under continuous culture conditions defined by a        dissolved oxygen tension of up to 10% air saturation measured at        37° C.

Reference to gene throughout this specification embraces open readingframes (ORFs).

The various embodiments described for the first aspect of the presentinvention apply equally for the second and subsequent aspects of thepresent invention.

“Corresponding first and second cDNA molecules from the first and secondcDNA populations” refers to cDNAs having substantially the samenucleotide sequence. Thus, by isolating the cDNA copies relating to agiven gene under each culture condition (ie. high oxygen, and lowoxygen), it is possible to quantify the relative copy number of cDNA forthat gene for each culture condition. Since each cDNA copy has beenproduced from an mRNA molecule, the cDNA copy number reflects thecorresponding mRNA copy number for each culture condition, and thus itis possible to identify induced or up-regulated genes.

The mycobacterium is selected from the species M. phlei, M. smegmatis,M. africanum, M. caneti, M. fortuitum, M. marinum, M. ulcerans, M.tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. microti, M. avium, M. paratuberculosis, M.leprae, M. lepraemurium, M. intracellulare, M. scrofulaceum, M. xenopi,M. genavense, M. kansasii, M. simiae, M. szulgai, M. haemophilum, M.asiaticum, M. malmoense, M. vaccae and M. shimoidei. Of particularinterest are members of the MTC, preferably M. tuberculosis. Similarly,all embodiments of the present invention may be based on theabove-identified mycobacterial sources.

Suitable media for culturing mycobacteria are described in Wayne, L. G.(1994) [in Tuberculosis: Pathogenesis, Protection, and Control publishedby the American Society for Microbiology, pp. 73-83]. These includeMiddlebrook 7H9 Medium [see Barker, L. P., et al. (1998) Molec.Microbiol., vol. 29(5), pp. 1167-1177], and WO00/52139 in the name ofthe present Applicant.

In one embodiment, the first and second cDNA molecules are isolated fromthe corresponding cDNA populations by hybridisation to an arraycontaining immobilised DNA sequences that are representative of eachknown gene (or ORF) within a particular mycobacterial species' genome.Thus, a first cDNA may be considered “corresponding” to a second cDNA ifboth cDNAs hybridise to the same immobilised DNA sequence.Alternatively, representative DNA sequences from a particularmycobacterial strain, or from a number of different species and/orstrains may be employed in the array.

In another embodiment, the first and second cDNAs are prepared byincorporation of a fluorescent label. The first and second cDNAs mayincorporate labels which fluoresce at different wavelengths, therebypermitting dual fluorescence and simultaneous detection of two cDNAsamples.

The type of label employed naturally determines how the output of thedetection method is read. When using fluorescent labels, a confocallaser scanner is preferably employed.

In use, it is preferred that those genes (ie. as represented by cDNAs inthe detection assay) which are up-regulated by at least 1.5-fold underlow oxygen culture conditions vis-a-vis high oxygen culture conditionsare selected. In more preferred embodiments, the correspondingup-regulation selection criterium is at least 2-fold, more preferably3-fold, most preferably 4-fold. In further embodiments up-regulationlevels of at least 10-fold, preferably 50-fold may be employed.

The preferred nucleic acid and peptide sequences of the presentinvention are those that are up-regulated by the above-identifiedlevels.

According to one embodiment, fluorescently labelled cDNA sequences fromlow and high oxygen cultured systems were allowed to hybridise with awhole mycobacterial genome array. The first cDNA population was labelledwith fluorescent label A, and the second cDNA population was labelledwith fluorescent label B. The array was scanned at two differentwavelengths corresponding to the excitable maxima of each dye and theintensity of the emitted light was recorded. Multiple arrays wereprepared for each cDNA and a mean intensity value was calculated acrossthe two cDNA populations for each spot with each dye, against whichrelative induction or up-regulation was quantified.

In addition to the above mRNA isolation and cDNA preparation andlabelling, genomic DNA may be isolated from the first and secondmycobacteria. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, labelled DNA is alsoprepared from the isolated DNA. The labelled DNA may be then included oneach array as a control.

As an alternative to the above-described transcriptomics based methodfor identifying up-regulated or induced genes, identification may beperformed at the protein level rather than at the mRNA level. In moredetail, protein samples may be removed from the first and secondmycobacteria, and then exposed to conventional separation techniquessuch as SDS-PAGE or non-denaturation electrophoresis prior toconventional analysis such as by densitometer analysis. By comparing therelative amounts of a particular protein from each of the first andsecond mycobacteria, those proteins the production of which isup-regulated or induced under oxygen limitation may be identified.

The preferred maximum dissolved oxygen tension threshold defining thelow oxygen culture condition is up to 5% air saturation measured at 37°C., more preferably up to 2% air saturation measured at 37° C., and mostpreferably up to 1% air saturation measured at 37° C. The correspondingminimum DOT is typically at least 0.5% air saturation measured at 37°C., preferably at least 1% air saturation measured at 37° C.

Similarly, the preferred minimum dissolved oxygen tension thresholddefining the high oxygen culture condition is 45% air saturationmeasured at 37° C., and more preferably 50% air saturation measured at37° C.

The pH of the culture medium is preferably maintained between pH 6 and8, more preferably between pH 6.5 and 7.5, most preferably at about pH6.9.

Preferred nucleic acid and peptide sequences of the present inventionare those that are up-regulated under the above-identified DOT and pHconditions.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is providedan inhibitor of a mycobacterial peptide, wherein the peptide is encodedby a gene the expression of which is induced or up-regulated duringculture of a mycobacterium under continuous culture conditions definedby a dissolved oxygen tension of up to 10% air saturation measured at37° C. when compared with a dissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% airsaturation measured at 37° C., and wherein the inhibitor is capable ofpreventing or inhibiting the mycobacterial peptide from exerting itsnative biological effect.

Inhibition of the mycobacterial peptide may be effected at the nucleicacid level (ie. DNA, or RNA), or at the peptide level.

In one embodiment, the inhibitor is capable of inhibiting one or more ofacyl carrier protein, monooxygenase, mycobactin synthesis protein,transcription regulator, oxidoreductase, acyl CoA dehydrogenase,esterase/acetyl hydrolase, cytochrome D, methyl transferase,transaminase, PPE protein, valyl-tRNA synthetase, guanylate kinase,ketol acid reductoisomerase, ABC transporter, ATP-binding protein,protoporphyrinogen oxidase, sigma factor, pyruvate kinase, heat shockprotein, and aminotransferase.

In a further embodiment, the inhibitor may be an antibiotic capable oftargeting the induced or up-regulated mycobacterial gene identifiable bythe present invention, or the gene product thereof. The antibiotic ispreferably specific for the gene and/or gene product.

Inhibitors of the present invention may be prepared utilizing thesequence information of provided herein. For example, this may beperformed by overexpressing the peptide, purifying the peptide, and thenperforming X-ray crystallography on the purified peptide to obtain itsmolecular structure. Next, compounds are created which have similarmolecular structures to all or portions of the polypeptide or itssubstrate. The compounds may be then combined with the peptide andattached thereto so as to block one or more of its biologicalactivities.

Also included within the invention are isolated or recombinantpolynucleotides that bind to the regions of the mycobacterial chromosomecontaining sequences that are associated with induction/up-regulationunder low oxygen tension (ie. virulence), including antisense andtriplex-forming polynucleotides. As used herein, the term “binding”refers to an interaction or complexation between an oligonucleotide anda target nucleotide sequence, mediated through hydrogen bonding or othermolecular forces. The term “binding” more specifically refers to twotypes of internucleotide binding mediated through base-base hydrogenbonding. The first type of binding is “Watson-Crick-type” bindinginteractions in which adenine-thymine (or adenine-uracil) andguanine-cytosine base-pairs are formed through hydrogen bonding betweenthe bases. An example of this type of binding is the bindingtraditionally associated with the DNA double helix and in RNA-DNAhybrids; this type of binding is normally detected by hybridizationprocedures.

The second type of binding is “triplex binding”. In general, triplexbinding refers to any type of base-base hydrogen bonding of a thirdpolynucleotide strand with a duplex DNA (or DNA-RNA hybrid) that isalready paired in a Watson-Crick manner.

In a preferred embodiment, the inhibitor may be an antisense nucleicacid sequence which is complementary to at least part of the inducibleor up-regulatable gene.

The inhibitor, when in the form of a nucleic acid sequence, in use,comprises at least 15 nucleotides, preferably at least 20 nucleotides,more preferably at least 30 nucleotides, and most preferably at least 50nucleotides.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided anantibody which binds to a peptide encoded by a gene, or to a fragment orvariant or derivative of said peptide, the expression of which gene isinduced or up-regulated during culture of a mycobacterium undercontinuous culture conditions defined by a dissolved oxygen tension ofup to 10% air saturation measured at 37° C. when compared with adissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% air saturation measured at 37°C.

The antibody preferably has specificity for the peptide in question, andfollowing binding thereto may initiate coating of the mycobacterium.Coating of the bacterium preferably leads to opsonization thereof. This,in turn, leads to the bacterium being destroyed. It is preferred thatthe antibody is specific for the mycobacterium (eg. species and/orstrain) which is to be targeted.

Opsonization by antibodies may influence cellular entry and spread ofmycobacteria in phagocytic and non-phagocytic cells by preventing ormodulating receptor-mediated entry and replication in macrophages.

The peptides, fragments, variants or derivatives of the presentinvention may be used to produce antibodies, including polyclonal andmonoclonal. If polyclonal antibodies are desired, a selected mammal (eg.mouse, rabbit, goat, horse, etc.) is immunized with an immunogenicpolypeptide. Serum from the immunized animal is collected and treatedaccording to known procedures. If serum containing polyclonal antibodiesto a desired mycobacterial epitope contains antibodies to otherantigens, the polyclonal antibodies may be purified by immunoaffinitychromatography.

Alternatively, general methodology for making monoclonal antibodies byhybridomas involving, for example, preparation of immortalantibody-producing cell lines by cell fusion, or other techniques suchas direct transformation of B lymphocytes with oncogenic DNA, ortransfection with Epstein-Barr virus may be employed.

The antibody employed in this aspect of the invention may belong to anyantibody isotype family, or may be a derivative or mimic thereof.Reference to antibody throughout this specification embracesrecombinantly produced antibody, and any part of an antibody which iscapable of binding to a mycobacterial antigen.

In one embodiment the antibody belongs to the IgG, IgM or IgA isotypefamilies.

In a preferred embodiment, the antibody belongs to the IgA isotypefamily. Reference to the IgA isotype throughout this specificationincludes the secretory form of this antibody (ie. sigA). The secretorycomponent (SC) of slgA may be added in vitro or in vivo. In the lattercase, the use of a patient's natural SC labelling machinery may beemployed.

In one embodiment, the antibody may be raised against a peptide from amember of the MTC, preferably against M. tuberculosis.

In a preferred embodiment, the antibody is capable of binding to apeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9,11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45,47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81,83, 85, 87, 89, 91, 93, 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113,115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, and 137 (orfragment, variant, of derivative thereof).

In a further embodiment, the antigen is an exposed component of aMycobacterial bacillus. In another embodiment, the antigen is a cellsurface-component of a Mycobacterial bacillus.

The antibody of the present invention may be polyclonal, but ispreferably monoclonal.

Without being bound by any theory, it is possible that followingmycobacterial infection of a macrophage, the macrophage is killed andthe bacilli are released. It is at this stage that the mycobacteria areconsidered to be most vulnerable to antibody attack. Thus, it ispossible that the antibodies of the present invention act on releasedbacilli following macrophage death, and thereby exert a post-infectioneffect.

It is possible that the passive protection aspect (ie. delivery ofantibodies) of the present invention is facilitated by enhancedaccessibility of the antibodies of the present invention to antigens onmycobacterial bacilli harboured by the infected macrophages. Indeed, acrexpression is low during logarithmic growth, but increases at thestationary or oxygen limiting stage, and particularly in organisms whichreplicate within macrophages. As acr expression appears to be necessaryfor mycobacterial infectivity, it is possible that antibody binding mayblock macrophage infection by steric hindrance or disruption of itsoligomeric structure. Thus, antibodies acting on mycobacterial bacillireleased from killed, infected macrophages may interfere with the spreadof re-infection to fresh macrophages. This hypothesis involves asynergistic action between antibodies and cytotoxic T cells, actingearly after infection, eg. γδ and NK T cells, but could later involvealso CD8 and CD4 cytotoxic T cells.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided anattenuated mycobacterium in which a gene has been modified therebyrendering the mycobacterium substantially non-pathogenic, wherein saidgene is a gene the expression of which is induced or up-regulated duringculture of a mycobacterium under continuous culture conditions definedby a dissolved oxygen tension of up to 10% air saturation measured at37° C. when compared with a dissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% airsaturation measured at 37° C.

The term “modified” refers to any genetic manipulation such as a nucleicacid or nucleic acid sequence replacement, a deletion, or an insertionwhich renders the mycobacterium substantially non-pathogenic. In oneembodiment the entire inducible or up-regulatable gene may be deleted.

In a preferred embodiment, the gene to be modified has a wild-typecoding sequence corresponding to one of the group consisting of SEQ IDNO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36,38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72,74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106,108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134,136, and 138.

It will be appreciated that the wild-type sequences may include minorvariations depending on the Database employed.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided anattenuated microbial carrier, comprising a peptide encoded by a gene, ora fragment or variant or derivative of said peptide, the expression ofwhich gene is induced or up-regulated during culture of a mycobacteriumunder continuous culture conditions defined by a dissolved oxygentension of up to 10% air saturation measured at 37° C. when comparedwith a dissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% air saturation measuredat 37° C.

In use, the peptide (or fragment, variant or derivative) is either atleast partially exposed at the surface of the carrier, or the carrierbecomes degraded in vivo so that at least part of the peptide (orfragment, variant or derivative) is otherwise exposed to a host's immunesystem.

In one embodiment, the attenuated microbial carrier is selected from thegroup consisting of attenuated salmonella, attenuated vaccinia virus,attenuated fowlpox virus, or attenuated M. bovis (eg. BCG strain).

In a preferred embodiment, the peptide is selected from the groupconsisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25,27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61,63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, 85, 87, 89, 91, 93, 95, 97,99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 125,127, 129, 131, 133, 135 and 137 (or fragment, variant, of derivativethereof).

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a DNAplasmid comprising a promoter, a polyadenylation signal, and a DNAsequence that encodes a gene or a fragment or variant or derivative ofsaid gene, the expression of which gene is induced or up-regulatedduring culture of a mycobacterium under continuous culture conditionsdefined by a dissolved oxygen tension of up to 10% air saturationmeasured at 37° C. when compared with a dissolved oxygen tension of atleast 40% air saturation measured at 37° C., wherein the promoter andpolyadenylation signal are operably linked to the DNA sequence.

The term DNA “fragment” used in this invention will usually comprise atleast about 5 codons (15 nucleotides), more usually at least about 7 to15 codons, and most preferably at least about 35 codons. This number ofnucleotides is usually about the minimal length required for asuccessful probe that would hybridize specifically with such a sequence.

In preferred embodiments, the DNA “fragment” has a nucleotide lengthwhich is at least 50%, preferably at least 70%, and more preferably atleast 80% that of the coding sequence of the correspondinginduced/up-regulated gene.

The term DNA “variant” means a DNA sequence which has substantialhomology or substantial similarity to the coding sequence (or a fragmentthereof) of an induced/up-regulated gene. A nucleic acid or fragmentthereof is “substantially homologous” (or “substantially similar”) toanother if, when optimally aligned (with appropriate nucleotideinsertions or deletions) with the other nucleic acid (or itscomplementary strand), there is nucleotide sequence identity in at leastabout 60% of the nucleotide bases, usually at least about 70%, moreusually at least about 80%, preferably at least about 90%, and morepreferably at least about 95 to 98% of the nucleotide bases. Homologydetermination is performed as described supra for peptides.

Alternatively, a DNA “variant” is substantially homologous (orsubstantially similar) with the coding sequence (or a fragment thereof)of an induced/up-regulated gene when they are capable of hybridizingunder selective hybridization conditions. Selectivity of hybridizationexists when hybridization occurs which is substantially more selectivethan total lack of specificity. Typically, selective hybridization willoccur when there is at least about 65% homology over a stretch of atleast about 14 nucleotides, preferably at least about 70%, morepreferably at least about 75%, and most preferably at least about 90%.See, Kanehisa (1984) Nuc. Acids Res. 12:203-213. The length of homologycomparison, as described, may be over longer stretches, and in certainembodiments will often be over a stretch of at least about 17nucleotides, usually at least about 20 nucleotides, more usually atleast about 24 nucleotides, typically at least about 28 nucleotides,more typically at least about 32 nucleotides, and preferably at leastabout 36 or more nucleotides.

Nucleic acid hybridization will be affected by such conditions as saltconcentration (eg. NaCl), temperature, or organic solvents, in additionto the base composition, length of the complementary strands, and thenumber of nucleotide base mismatches between the hybridizing nucleicacids, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.Stringent temperature conditions are preferably employed, and generallyinclude temperatures in excess of 30° C., typically in excess of 37° C.and preferably in excess of 45° C. Stringent salt conditions willordinarily be less than 1000 mM, typically less than 500 mM, andpreferably less than 200 mM. The pH is typically between 7.0 and 8.3.However, the combination of parameters is much more important than themeasure of any single parameter. See, eg., Wetmur and Davidson (1968) J.Mol. Biol. 31:349-370.

The term DNA “derivative” means a DNA polynucleotide which comprises aDNA sequence (or a fragment, or variant thereof) corresponding to thecoding sequence of the induced/up-regulated gene and an additional DNAsequence which is not naturally associated with the DNA sequencecorresponding to the coding sequence. The comments on peptide derivativesupra also apply to DNA “derivative”. A “derivative” may, for example,include two or more coding sequences of a mycobacterial operon that isinduced during oxygen limitation.

Thus, depending on the presence or absence of a non-coding regionbetween the coding sequences, the expression product/s of such a“derivative” may be a fusion protein, or separate peptide productsencoded by the individual coding regions.

The above terms DNA “fragment”, “variant”, and “derivative” have incommon with each other that the resulting peptide products havecross-reactive antigenic properties which are substantially the same asthose of the corresponding wild-type peptide. Preferably all of thepeptide products of the above DNA molecule embodiments of the presentinvention bind to an antibody which also binds to the wild-type peptide.Alternatively, all of the above peptide products are capable of inducinga “recall response” of a T lymphocyte which has been previously exposedto an antigenic component of a mycobacterial infection.

The promoter and polyadenylation signal are preferably selected so as toensure that the gene is expressed in a eukaryotic cell. Strong promotersand polyadenylation signals are preferred.

In a related aspect, the present invention provides an isolated RNAmolecule which is encoded by a DNA sequence of the present invention, ora fragment or variant or derivative of said DNA sequence.

An “isolated” RNA is an RNA which is substantially separated from othermycobacterial components that naturally accompany the sequences ofinterest, eg., ribosomes, polymerases, and other mycobacterialpolynucleotides such as DNA and other chromosomal sequences.

The above RNA molecule may be introduced directly into a host cell as,for example, a component of a vaccine.

Alternatively the RNA molecule may be incorporated into an RNA vectorprior to administration.

The polynucleotide sequences (DNA and RNA) of the present inventioninclude a nucleic acid sequence which has been removed from itsnaturally occurring environment, and recombinant or cloned DNA isolatesand chemically synthesized analogues or analogues biologicallysynthesized by heterologous systems.

The term “recombinant” as used herein intends a polynucleotide ofgenomic, cDNA, semisynthetic, or synthetic origin which, by virtue ofits origin or manipulation: (1) is not associated with all or a portionof a polynucleotide with which it is associated in nature; or (2) islinked to a polynucleotide other than that to which it is linked innature; and (3) does not occur in nature. This artificial combination isoften accomplished by either chemical synthesis means, or by theartificial manipulation of isolated segments of nucleic acids, eg., bygenetic engineering techniques. Such is usually done to replace a codonwith a redundant codon encoding the same or a conservative amino acid,while typically introducing or removing a sequence recognition site.Alternatively, it is performed to join together nucleic acid segments ofdesired functions to generate a desired combination of functions.

In embodiments of the invention the polynucleotides may encode a peptidewhich is induced or up-regulated under low oxygen tension. A nucleicacid is said to “encode” a peptide if, in its native state or whenmanipulated, it can be transcribed and/or translated to produce thepeptide or a fragment or variant or derivative thereof. The anti-sensestrand of such a nucleic acid is also said to encode the sequence.

Also contemplated within the invention are expression vectors comprisingthe polynucleotide of interest. Expression vectors generally arereplicable polynucleotide constructs that encode a peptide operablylinked to suitable transcriptional and translational regulatoryelements. Examples of regulatory elements usually included in expressionvectors are promoters, enhancers, ribosomal binding sites, andtranscription and translation initiation and termination sequences.These regulatory elements are operably linked to the sequence to betranslated. A nucleic acid sequence is operably linked when it is placedinto a functional relationship with another nucleic acid sequence. Forinstance, a promoter is operably linked to a coding sequence if thepromoter affects its transcription or expression. Generally, operablylinked means that the DNA sequences being linked are contiguous and,where necessary to join two protein coding regions, contiguous and inreading frame. The regulatory elements employed in the expressionvectors containing a polynucleotide encoding a virulence factor arefunctional in the host cell used for expression.

The polynucleotides of the present invention may be prepared by anymeans known in the art. For example, large amounts of thepolynucleotides may be produced by replication in a suitable host cell.The natural or synthetic DNA fragments coding for a desired fragmentwill be incorporated into recombinant nucleic acid constructs, typicallyDNA constructs, capable of introduction into and replication in aprokaryotic or eukaryotic cell. Usually the DNA constructs will besuitable for autonomous replication in a unicellular host, such as yeastor bacteria, but may also be intended for introduction to andintegration within the genome of a cultured insect, mammalian, plant orother eukaryotic cell lines.

The polynucleotides of the present invention may also be produced bychemical synthesis, e.g. by the phosphoramidite method or the triestermethod, and may be performed on commercial automated oligonucleotidesynthesizers. A double-stranded fragment may be obtained from the singlestranded product of chemical synthesis either by synthesizing thecomplementary strand and annealing the strand together under appropriateconditions or by adding the complementary strand using DNA polymerasewith an appropriate primer sequence.

DNA constructs prepared for introduction into a prokaryotic oreukaryotic host will typically comprise a replication system recognizedby the host, including the intended DNA fragment encoding the desiredpeptide, and will preferably also include transcription andtranslational initiation regulatory sequences operably linked to thepolypeptide encoding segment. Expression vectors may include, forexample, an origin of replication or autonomously replicating sequence(ARS) and expression control sequences, a promoter, an enhancer andnecessary processing information sites, such as ribosome-binding sites,RNA splice sites, polyadenylation sites, transcriptional terminatorsequences, and mRNA stabilizing sequences. Secretion signals frompolypeptides secreted from the host cell of choice may also be includedwhere appropriate, thus allowing the protein to cross and/or lodge incell membranes, and thus attain its functional topology or be secretedfrom the cell.

Appropriate promoter and other necessary vector sequences are selectedso as to be functional in the host, and may, when appropriate, includethose naturally associated with mycobacterial genes. Promoters such asthe trp, lac and phage promoters, tRNA promoters and glycolytic enzymepromoters may be used in prokaryotic hosts. Useful yeast promotersinclude the promoter regions for metallothionein, 3-phosphoglyceratekinase or other glycolytic enzymes such as enolase orglyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, enzymes responsible formaltose and galactose utilization, and others.

Appropriate non-native mammalian promoters may include the early andlate promoters from SV40 or promoters derived from murine moloneyleukemia virus, mouse mammary tumour virus, avian sarcoma viruses,adenovirus II, bovine papilloma virus or polyoma. In addition, theconstruct may be joined to an amplifiable gene (e.g., DHFR) so thatmultiple copies of the gene may be made.

While such expression vectors may replicate autonomously, they may lesspreferably replicate by being inserted into the genome of the host cell.

Expression and cloning vectors will likely contain a selectable marker,a gene encoding a protein necessary for the survival or growth of a hostcell transformed with the vector. The presence of this gene ensures thegrowth of only those host cells which express the inserts. Typicalselection genes encode proteins that (a) confer resistance toantibiotics or other toxic substances, e.g. ampicillin, neomycin,methotrexate, etc.; (b) complement auxotrophic deficiencies; or (c)supply critical nutrients not available from complex media, e.g. thegene encoding D-alanine racemase for Bacilli. The choice of appropriateselectable marker will depend on the host cell.

The vectors containing the nucleic acids of interest can be transcribedin vitro and the resulting RNA introduced into the host cell (e.g., byinjection), or the vectors can be introduced directly into host cells bymethods which vary depending on the type of cellular host, includingelectroporation; transfection employing calcium chloride, rubidiumchloride, calcium phosphate, DEAE-dextran, or other substances;microprojectile bombardment; lipofection; infection (where the vector isan infectious agent, such as a retroviral genome). The cells into whichhave been introduced nucleic acids described above are meant to alsoinclude the progeny of such cells.

Large quantities of the nucleic acids and peptides of the presentinvention may be prepared by expressing the nucleic acids or portionsthereof in vectors or other expression vehicles in compatibleprokaryotic or eukaryotic host cells. The most commonly used prokaryotichosts are strains of Escherichia coli, although other prokaryotes, suchas Bacillus subtilis or Pseudomonas may also be used.

Mammalian or other eukaryotic host cells, such as those of yeast,filamentous fungi, plant, insect, amphibian or avian species, may alsobe useful for production of the proteins of the present invention.Propagation of mammalian cells in culture is per se well known. Examplesof commonly used mammalian host cell lines are VERO and HeLa cells,Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and WI38, BHK, and COS cell lines,although other cell lines may be appropriate, e.g., to provide higherexpression, desirable glycosylation patterns.

Clones are selected by using markers depending on the mode of the vectorconstruction. The marker may be on the same or a different DNA molecule,preferably the same DNA molecule. The transformant may be screened or,preferably, selected by any of the means well known in the art, e.g., byresistance to such antibiotics as ampicillin, tetracycline.

The polynucleotides of the invention may be inserted into the host cellby any means known in the art, including for example, transformation,transduction, and electroporation. As used herein, “recombinant hostcells”, “host cells”, “cells”, “cell lines”, “cell cultures”, and othersuch terms denoting microorganisms or higher eukaryotic cell linescultured as unicellular entities refer to cells which can be, or havebeen, used as recipients for recombinant vector or other transfer DNA,and include the progeny of the original cell which has been transformed.It is understood that the progeny of a single parental cell may notnecessarily be completely identical in morphology or in genomic or totalDNA complement as the original parent, due to natural, accidental, ordeliberate mutation. “Transformation”, as used herein, refers to theinsertion of an exogenous polynucleotide into a host cell, irrespectiveof the method used for the insertion, for example, direct uptake,transduction, f-mating or electroporation. The exogenous polynucleotidemay be maintained as a non-integrated vector, for example, a plasmid, oralternatively, may be integrated into the host cell genome.

In one embodiment, a DNA plasmid or RNA vector may encode a component ofthe immune system which is specific to an immune response followingchallenge with a peptide, wherein said peptide is encoded by amycobacterial gene which is induced or up-regulated during oxygenlimitation of mycobacterial growth.

An example of such a component is an antibody to the peptide product ofan induced or up-regulated gene. Thus, in one embodiment, the nucleicacid sequence (eg. DNA plasmid or RNA vector) encodes the antibody inquestion.

An eighth aspect provides use of a peptide, an inhibitor, an antibody,an attenuated mycobacterium, an attenuated microbial carrier, a DNAsequence corresponding to the coding sequence of an induced orup-regulated gene or a fragment or variant or derivative of said DNAsequence, a DNA plasmid comprising said DNA sequence or said fragment orvariant or derivative, an RNA sequence encoded by said DNA sequence orsaid fragment or variant or derivative, and/or an RNA vector comprisingsaid RNA sequence according to the present invention, in the manufactureof a medicament for treating or preventing a mycobacterial infection.

The term “preventing” includes reducing the severity/intensity of, orinitiation of, a mycobacterial infection.

The term “treating” includes post-infection therapy and amelioration ofa mycobacterial infection.

In a related aspect, there is provided a method of treating orpreventing a mycobacterial infection, comprising administration of amedicament selected from the group consisting of a peptide, aninhibitor, an antibody, an attenuated mycobacterium, an attenuatedmicrobial carrier, a DNA sequence corresponding to the coding sequenceof an induced or up-regulated gene or a fragment or variant orderivative of said DNA sequence, a DNA plasmid comprising said DNAsequence or said fragment or variant or derivative, an RNA sequenceencoded by said DNA sequence or said fragment or variant or derivative,and/or an RNA vector comprising said RNA sequence according to thepresent invention, to a patient.

The medicament may be administered by conventional routes, eg.intravenous, intraperitoneal, intranasal routes.

The immunogenicity of the epitopes of the peptides of the invention maybe enhanced by preparing them in mammalian or yeast systems fused withor assembled with particle-forming proteins such as, for example, thatassociated with hepatitis B surface antigen. Vaccines may be preparedfrom one or more immunogenic peptides of the present invention.

Typically, such vaccines are prepared as injectables, either as liquidsolutions or suspensions; solid forms suitable for solution in, orsuspension in, liquid prior to injection may also be prepared. Thepreparation may also be emulsified, or the peptide encapsulated inliposomes. The active immunogenic ingredients are often mixed withexcipients which are pharmaceutically acceptable and compatible with theactive ingredient. Suitable excipients are, for example, water, saline,dextrose, glycerol, ethanol, or the like and combinations thereof. Inaddition, if desired, the vaccine may contain minor amounts of auxiliarysubstances such as wetting or emulsifying agents, pH buffering agents,and/or adjuvants which enhance the effectiveness of the vaccine.Examples of adjuvants which may be effective include but are not limitedto: aluminum hydroxide, N-acetyl-muramyl-L-threonyl-D-isoglutamine(thr-MDP), N-acetyl-nor-muramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (CGP 11637,referred to as nor-MDP),N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutaminyl-L-alanine-2-(1′-2′-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-hydroxyphosphoryloxy)-ethylamine (CGP 19835A,referred to as MTP-PE), and RIBI, which contains three componentsextracted from bacteria, monophosphoryl lipid A, trehalose dimycolateand cell wall skeleton (MPL+TDM+CWS) in a 2% squalene/Tween 80 emulsion.

The vaccines are conventionally administered parenterally, by injection,for example, either subcutaneously or intramuscularly. Additionalformulations which are suitable for other modes of administrationinclude suppositories and, in some cases, oral formulations orformulations suitable for distribution as aerosols. For suppositories,traditional binders and carriers may include, for example, polyalkyleneglycols or triglycerides; such suppositories may be formed from mixturescontaining the active ingredient in the range of 0.5% to 10%, preferably1%-2%. Oral formulations include such normally employed excipients as,for example, pharmaceutical grades of mannitol, lactose, starch,magnesium stearate, sodium saccharine, cellulose, magnesium carbonate,and the like. These compositions take the form of solutions,suspensions, tablets, pills, capsules, sustained release formulations orpowders and contain 10%-95% of active ingredient, preferably 25%-70%.

The peptides may be formulated into the vaccine as neutral or saltforms. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts include the acid addition salts(formed with free amino groups of the peptide) and which are formed withinorganic acids such as, for example, hydrochloric or phosphoric acids,or with organic acids such as acetic, oxalic, tartaric, maleic, and thelike. Salts formed with the free carboxyl groups may also be derivedfrom inorganic bases such as, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium,calcium, or ferric hydroxides, and such organic bases as isopropylamine,trimethylamine, 2-ethylamino ethanol, histidine, procaine, and the like.

The vaccines are administered in a manner compatible with the dosageformulation, and in such amount as will be prophylactically and/ortherapeutically effective. The quantity to be administered, which isgenerally in the range of 5 micrograms to 250 micrograms of antigen perdose, depends on the subject to be treated, capacity of the subject'simmune system to synthesize antibodies, and the degree of protectiondesired. Precise amounts of active ingredient required to beadministered may depend on the judgment of the practitioner and may bepeculiar to each subject.

The vaccine may be given in a single dose schedule, or preferably in amultiple dose schedule. A multiple dose schedule is one in which aprimary course of vaccination may be with 1-10 separate doses, followedby other doses given at subsequent time intervals required to maintainand or re-enforce the immune response, for example, at 1-4 months for asecond dose, and if needed, a subsequent dose(s) after several months.The dosage regimen will also, at least in part, be determined by theneed of the individual and be dependent upon the judgment of thepractitioner.

In addition, the vaccine containing the immunogenic mycobacterialantigen(s) may be administered in conjunction with otherimmunoregulatory agents, for example, immunoglobulins, as well asantibiotics.

The outcome of administering antibody-containing compositions may dependon the efficiency of transmission of antibodies to the site ofinfection. In the case of a mycobacterial respiratory infection (eg. aM. tuberculosis infection), this may be facilitated by efficienttransmission of antibodies to the lungs.

In one embodiment the medicament may be administered intranasally(i.n.). This mode of delivery corresponds to the route of delivery of aM. tuberculosis infection and, in the case of antibody delivery, ensuresthat antibodies are present at the site of infection to combat thebacterium before it becomes intracellular and also during the periodwhen it spreads between cells.

An intranasal composition may be administered in droplet form havingapproximate diameters in the range of 100-5000 μm, preferably 500-4000μm, more preferably 1000-3000 μm. Alternatively, in terms of volume, thedroplets would be in the approximate range of 0.001-100 μl, preferably0.1-50 μl, more preferably 1.0-25 μl.

Intranasal administration may be achieved by way of applying nasaldroplets or via a nasal spray.

In the case of nasal droplets, the droplets may typically have adiameter of approximately 1000-3000 μm and/or a volume of 1-25 μl.

In the case of a nasal spray, the droplets may typically have a diameterof approximately 100-1000 μm and/or a volume of 0.001-1 μl.

It is possible that, following i.n. delivery of antibodies, theirpassage to the lungs is facilitated by a reverse flow of mucosalsecretions, although mucociliary action in the respiratory tract isthought to take particles within the mucus out of the lungs. Therelatively long persistence in the lungs' lavage, fast clearance fromthe bile and lack of transport to the saliva of some antibodies suggestthe role of mucosal site specific mechanisms.

In a different embodiment, the medicament may be delivered in an aerosolformulation. The aerosol formulation may take the form of a powder,suspension or solution.

The size of aerosol particles is one factor relevant to the deliverycapability of an aerosol. Thus, smaller particles may travel furtherdown the respiratory airway towards the alveoli than would largerparticles. In one embodiment, the aerosol particles have a diameterdistribution to facilitate delivery along the entire length of thebronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli. Alternatively, the particle sizedistribution may be selected to target a particular section of therespiratory airway, for example the alveoli.

The aerosol particles may be delivered by way of a nebulizer or nasalspray.

In the case of aerosol delivery of the medicament, the particles mayhave diameters in the approximate range of 0.1-50 μm, preferably 1-25μm, more preferably 1-5 μm.

The aerosol formulation of the medicament of the present invention mayoptionally contain a propellant and/or surfactant.

By controlling the size of the droplets which are to be administered toa patient to within the defined range of the present invention, it ispossible to avoid/minimise inadvertent antigen delivery to the alveoliand thus avoid alveoli-associated pathological problems such asinflammation and fibrotic scarring of the lungs.

I.n. vaccination engages both T and B cell mediated effector mechanismsin nasal and bronchus associated mucosal tissues, which differ fromother mucosae-associated lymphoid tissues.

The protective mechanisms invoked by the intranasal route ofadministration may include: the activation of T lymphocytes withpreferential lung homing; upregulation of co-stimulatory molecules, eg.B7.2; and/or activation of macrophages or secretory IgA antibodies.

Intranasal delivery of antigens may facilitate a mucosal antibodyresponse is invoked which is favoured by a shift in the T cell responsetoward the Th2 phenotype which helps antibody production. A mucosalresponse is characterised by enhanced IgA production, and a Th2 responseis characterised by enhanced IL-4 production.

Intranasal delivery of mycobacterial antigens allows targeting of theantigens to submucosal B cells of the respiratory system. These B cellsare the major local IgA-producing cells in mammals and intranasaldelivery facilitates a rapid increase in IgA production by these cellsagainst the mycobacterial antigens.

In one embodiment administration of the medicament comprising amycobacterial antigen stimulates IgA antibody production, and the IgAantibody binds to the mycobacterial antigen. In another embodiment, amucosal and/or Th2 immune response is stimulated.

In another embodiment monoclonal antibodies, in particular, may be usedto raise anti-idiotype antibodies. Anti-idiotype antibodies areimmunoglobulins which carry an “internal image” of the antigen of theinfectious agent against which protection is desired. Theseanti-idiotype antibodies may also be useful for treatment, vaccinationand/or diagnosis of mycobacterial infections.

According to a ninth embodiment, the peptides of the present inventionand antibodies to them are useful in immunoassays to detect the presenceof antibodies to mycobacteria, or the presence of the virulenceassociated antigens in biological samples. Design of the immunoassays issubject to a great deal of variation, and many formats are known in theart. The immunoassay may utilize at least one epitope derived from apeptide of the present invention. In one embodiment, the immunoassayuses a combination of such epitopes. These epitopes may be derived fromthe same or from different bacterial peptides, and may be in separaterecombinant or natural peptides, or together in the same recombinantpeptides.

An immunoassay may use, for example, a monoclonal antibody directedtowards a virulence associated peptide epitope(s), a combination ofmonoclonal antibodies directed towards epitopes of one mycobacterialantigen, monoclonal antibodies directed towards epitopes of differentmycobacterial antigens, polyclonal antibodies directed towards the sameantigen, or polyclonal antibodies directed towards different antigens.Protocols may be based, for example, upon competition, or directreaction, or sandwich type assays. Protocols may also, for example, usesolid supports, or may be by immunoprecipitation. Most assays involvethe use of labelled antibody or polypeptide; the labels may be, forexample, enzymatic, fluorescent, chemiluminescent, radioactive, or dyemolecules. Assays which amplify the signals from the probe are alsoknown; examples of which are assays which utilize biotin and avidin, andenzyme-labelled and mediated immunoassays, such as ELISA assays.

Typically, an immunoassay for an antibody(s) to a peptide, will involveselecting and preparing the test sample suspected of containing theantibodies, such as a biological sample, then incubating it with anantigenic (i.e., epitope-containing) peptide(s) under conditions thatallow antigen-antibody complexes to form, and then detecting theformation of such complexes. The immunoassay may be of a standard orcompetitive type.

The peptide is typically bound to a solid support to facilitateseparation of the sample from the peptide after incubation. Examples ofsolid supports that can be used are nitrocellulose (e.g., in membrane ormicrotiter well form), polyvinyl chloride (e.g., in sheets or microtiterwells), polystyrene latex (e.g., in beads or microtiter plates,polyvinylidine fluoride (known as Immulon), diazotized paper, nylonmembranes, activated beads, and Protein A beads. For example, DynatechImmulon microtiter plates or 60 mm diameter polystyrene beads (PrecisionPlastic Ball) may be used. The solid support containing the antigenicpeptide is typically washed after separating it from the test sample,and prior to detection of bound antibodies.

Complexes formed comprising antibody (or, in the case of competitiveassays, the amount of competing antibody) are detected by any of anumber of known techniques, depending on the format. For example,unlabelled antibodies in the complex may be detected using a conjugateof antixenogeneic Ig complexed with a label, (e.g., an enzyme label).

In immunoassays where the peptides are the analyte, the test sample,typically a biological sample, is incubated with antibodies directedagainst the peptide under conditions that allow the formation ofantigen-antibody complexes. It may be desirable to treat the biologicalsample to release putative bacterial components prior to testing.Various formats can be employed. For example, a “sandwich assay” may beemployed, where antibody bound to a solid support is incubated with thetest sample; washed; incubated with a second, labelled antibody to theanalyte, and the support is washed again. Analyte is detected bydetermining if the second antibody is bound to the support. In acompetitive format, a test sample is usually incubated with antibody anda labelled, competing antigen is also incubated, either sequentially orsimultaneously. Also included as an embodiment of the invention is animmunoassay kit comprised of one or more peptides of the invention, orone or more antibodies to said peptides, and a buffer, packaged insuitable containers.

As used herein, a “biological sample” refers to a sample of tissue orfluid isolated from an individual, including but not limited to, forexample, plasma, serum, spinal fluid, lymph fluid, the external sectionsof the skin, respiratory, intestinal, and genitourinary tracts, tears,saliva, milk, blood cells, tumours, organs, and also samples of in vitrocell culture constituents (including but not limited to conditionedmedium resulting from the growth of cells in cell culture medium,putatively virally infected cells, recombinant cells, and cellcomponents).

In a related diagnostic assay, the present invention provides nucleicacid probes for detecting a mycobacterial infection.

Using the polynucleotides of the present invention as a basis, oligomersof approximately 8 nucleotides or more can be prepared, either byexcision from recombinant polynucleotides or synthetically, whichhybridize with the mycobacterial sequences, and are useful inidentification of mycobacteria. The probes are a length which allows thedetection of the induced or up-regulated sequences by hybridization.While 6-8 nucleotides may be a workable length, sequences of 10-12nucleotides are preferred, and at least about 20 nucleotides appearsoptimal. These probes can be prepared using routine methods, includingautomated oligonucleotide synthetic methods. For use as probes, completecomplementarity is desirable, though it may be unnecessary as the lengthof the fragment is increased.

For use of such probes as diagnostics, the biological sample to beanalyzed, such as blood or serum, may be treated, if desired, to extractthe nucleic acids contained therein. The resulting nucleic acid from thesample may be subjected to gel electrophoresis or other size separationtechniques; alternatively, the nucleic acid sample may be dot blottedwithout size separation. The probes are usually labeled. Suitablelabels, and methods for labeling probes are known in the art, andinclude, for example, radioactive labels incorporated by nicktranslation or kinasing, biotin, fluorescent probes, andchemiluminescent probes. The nucleic acids extracted from the sample arethen treated with the labeled probe under hybridization conditions ofsuitable stringencies.

The probes may be made completely complementary to the virulenceencoding polynucleotide. Therefore, usually high stringency conditionsare desirable in order to prevent false positives. The stringency ofhybridization is determined by a number of factors during hybridizationand during the washing procedure, including temperature, ionic strength,length of time, and concentration of formamide.

It may be desirable to use amplification techniques in hybridizationassays. Such techniques are known in the art and include, for example,the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique.

The probes may be packaged into diagnostic kits. Diagnostic kits includethe probe DNA, which may be labeled; alternatively, the probe DNA may beunlabeled and the ingredients for labeling may be included in the kit inseparate containers. The kit may also contain other suitably packagedreagents and materials needed for the particular hybridization protocol,for example, standards, as well as instructions for conducting the test.

In a preferred embodiment, a peptide (or fragment or variant orderivative) of the present invention is used in a diagnostic assay todetect the presence of a T-lymphocyte which T lymphocyte has beenpreviously exposed to an antigenic component of a mycobacterialinfection in a patient.

In more detail, a T-lymphocyte which has been previously exposed to aparticular antigen will be activated on subsequent challenge by the sameantigen. This activation provides a means for identifying a positivediagnosis of mycobacterial infection. In contrast, the same activationis not achieved by a T-lymphocyte which has not been previously exposedto the particular antigen.

The above “activation” of a T-lymphocyte is sometimes referred to as a“recall response” and may be measured, for example, by determining therelease of interferon (eg. IFN-Y) from the activated T-lymphocyte. Thus,the presence of a mycobacterial infection in a patient may be determinedby the release of a minimum concentration of interferon from aT-lymphocyte after a defined time period following in vitro challenge ofthe T-lymphocyte with a peptide (or fragment or variant or derivative)of the present invention.

In use, a biological sample containing T-lymphocytes is taken from apatient, and then challenged with a peptide (or fragment, variant, orderivative thereof) of the present invention.

The above T-lymphocyte diagnostic assay may include an antigenpresenting cell (APC) expressing at least one major histocompatibilitycomplex (MHC) class II molecule expressed by the patient in question.The APC may be inherently provided in the biological sample, or may beadded exogenously. In one embodiment, the T-lymphocyte is a CD4T-lymphocyte.

EXAMPLE 1 Continuous Culture of Mycobacteria

Materials and Methods

Strain

Studies were performed with M. tuberculosis strain H37Rv (NCTC cat. no.7416)—a representative strain of M. tuberculosis. Stock cultures weregrown on Middlebrook 7H10+OADC for 3 weeks at 37±2° C. harvested andstored at −70° C. as a dense suspension in deionised water.

Culture Medium

A chemically defined culture medium was developed, and was designatedCAMR Mycobacterial Medium (see WO00/52139). The medium was prepared withhigh quality water from a Millepore water purification system and filtersterilized by passage through a 0.07 μm pore size cellulose acetatemembrane filter capsule (Sartorius Ltd). Middlebrook 7H10 +OADC agar wasused to prepare inoculum cultures, enumerate the number of culturablebacteria in chemostat samples, and to assess culture purity.

Culture Apparatus

Culture experiments were performed in a one litre glass vessel operatedat a working volume of 500 ml. The culture was agitated by a magneticbar placed in the culture vessel coupled to a magnetic stirrerpositioned beneath the vessel. Culture conditions were continuouslymonitored and controlled by an Anglicon Microlab Fermentation System(Brighton Systems, Newhaven), linked to sensor probes inserted into theculture through sealed ports in the top plate. The oxygen concentrationwas monitored with a galvanic oxygen electrode (Uniprobe, Cardiff) andwas controlled through feedback control of the agitation rate.Temperature was monitored by an Anglicon temperature probe, andmaintained by a heating pad positioned beneath the culture vessel.Culture pH was measured using an Ingold pH electrode (Mettler-Toledo,Leicester) and controlled by automatic addition of either sodiumhydroxide (0.5 M) or sulphuric acid (0.5 M). For continuous culture, theculture system was operated by controlling nutrient addition from themedium reservoir and a constant culture volume was maintained by anoverflow tube fitted to the side of the vessel.

Inoculation and Culture

The vessel was filled with 350 ml of sterile culture medium andparameters were allowed to stabilize at 37° C.±2° C., pH 6.9±0.2 and adissolved oxygen tension of approximately 70% air saturation. A denseinoculum suspension was prepared by resuspending Middlebrook agarcultures, grown at 37±2° C. for 3 weeks, in sterile deionized water. Theinoculum was aseptically transferred to the culture vessel, to providean initial culture turbidity of approximately 0.25 at 540 nm. Afterinoculation the culture was allowed to establish for approximately 50 h.As the culture entered exponential growth, a further 100 ml medium wasadded and batch growth was monitored by optical density and viable countdetermination.

For continuous culture, the culture was inoculated and allowed toestablish for approximately 50 h as detailed. The culture was thenoperated in fed batch mode for 48 h with medium addition (approx. 100ml) as the culture entered exponential growth and 24 h later. Continuousculture was then initiated at a dilution rate of 0.03 h⁻¹ [equivalent toa mean generation time (MGT) of 24 h]. Culture parameters weremaintained at a dissolved oxygen tension (DOT) of 50% (v/v) airsaturation at 37±2° C. and pH 6.9±0.2 for “high” dissolved oxygenculture conditions, and a DOT of 1% (v/v) air saturation at 37±2° C. andpH 6.9±0.2 for “low” dissolved oxygen culture conditions. Growth wasmonitored by optical density, dry weight and viable count determination.

Continuous Culture

Steady-state growth, at a MGT of 24 h, was normally reached 10 daysafter initiation of continuous culture. Cultures were dense suspensionscontaining approximately 5×10⁸ cfu ml⁻¹ and a biomass yield ofapproximately 1.2 gl⁻¹ cell dry weight. Cells were short rods 2 to 3 μmlong with occasional clumps of up to 20 cells. Glycerol, the principalcarbon source was not depleted during steady state growth, with aresidual concentration of 1.25 gl⁻¹. Tween® 80 was present in an amountof 0.1% and enabled the growth of M. tuberculosis in a homogeneoussuspension made up substantially of single cells at a growth rateconducive to chemostat culture. Cultures grown in the absence of Tween®80 formed large clumps and surface pellicles and continuous culture wasnot possible.

EXAMPLE 2 Virulence Data

Cultures grown at a DOT of 50% were virulent in the guinea pig model ofinfection as determined by their ability to establish infection afteraerosol delivery, proliferate in the lung, disseminate to the spleen andcause histopathology indicative of primary pulmonary tuberculosis.

A new virulence assay has developed to assess and compare the virulenceof culture samples based on their ability to cause a disseminatedinfection. The assay determined the dose required in the lung at day 0in order to produce a disseminated infection with 3.0 log₁₀ cfu in thespleen at day 16. This value was termed the infectivity index.

Using this assay, the infectivity of cells grown in aerobic chemostatculture was comparable to that of cells grown on standard Middlebrookagar. This supports our previous finding that cells grown in our culturesystem are virulent and there is no loss in virulence associated withgrowth in our culture system (see Table 1).

The infectivity index for cells grown at low oxygen tension (1% DOT) wassignificantly lower than that for aerobic cells indicating that growthat low oxygen tension enhances the virulence of M. tuberculosis i.e. asignificantly lower dose is required in order to produce a comparableinfection.

TABLE 1 Sample Infectivity Index* Plate 2.0 Aerobic chemostat (50% DOT)2.1, 2.2 Low oxygen chemostat (1% DOT) 1.4, 1.5 *Values are the doselog₁₀ required in the lung at day 0 in order to produce a disseminatedinfection with 3.0 log₁₀ in the spleen at day 16.

EXAMPLE 3 RNA Extraction from M. tuberculosis for Microarray Analysis

Materials and Methods

Trizol (Life Technologies)—formulation of phenol and guanidinethiocyanate.

GTC lysis solution containing: 5M guanidine thiocyanate, 0.5% N-laurylsarcosine, 25 mM tri-sodium citrate, 0.1M 2-mercaptoethanol, and 0.5%Tween 80.

-   Chloroform-   Isopropanol-   3M sodium acetate-   70% Ethanol-   microfuge-   ribolyser

Sterile plasticware—Falcon tubes, screw capped eppendorfs, gilsontips—all RNase free

Glassware—baked at 160° C. for at least 16 hours

Method

Steps performed at Containment level 3; within a Class IIImicrobiological safety cabinet.

Remove 10 or 20 ml of culture (10⁹/ml) and immediately add this to 4volumes of GTC lysis buffer in a plastic specimen pot. Seal the pottightly.

Incubate the cells in GTC lysis buffer for 1 hour at room temperature.Surface decontaminate the plastic pot with 5% Hycolin for 5 minutes.Transfer the sample to the pass box and place it into a plastic carrytin with a sealable lid. Close the container securely and transport itto a non-toxic cabinet CL3 cabinet.

Equally distribute the lysis mixture between Falcon tubes. Place thesetubes into centrifuge buckets and seal the buckets tightly.Surface-decontaminate the buckets for 5 minutes with 5% Hycolin. Thentransfer them to the centrifuge (Baird and Tatlock Mark IV refrigeratedbench-top centrifuge). Spin the tubes at 3,000 rpm for 30 minutes.

Return the unopened buckets to the cabinet. Remove the centrifuge tubesand pour the supernatant into a waste bottle for GTC lysis buffer.

Resuspend each pellet in 1 ml of Trizol (formulation of phenol and GTCcat no. 15596-026). The manufacturers guidelines recommend lysing cellsby repetitive pipetting. Although this action alone will not lyse M.tuberculosis, it is important to completely resuspend the pellet inTrizol.

Transfer 1 ml of cells into a FastRNA tube and ribolyse it at powersetting 6.5 for 45 seconds.

Leave the tube to incubate at room temperature for 5 minutes.

Remove the aqueous layer from the tube and add this to 200 μM ofchloroform in a screw-capped eppendorf tube. Shake each tube vigorouslyfor about 15 seconds. Incubate for 2-3 minutes at room temperature.

Spin the tube at 13,000 rpm for 15 minutes. Following centrifugation,the liquid separates into red phenol/chloroform phase, an interface, anda clear aqueous phase.

Carefully remove the aqueous phase and transfer it to a fresh eppendorftube containing 500 μl of chloroform/isoamyl alcohol (24:1). Spin thetubes at 13,000 rpm for 15 minutes.

Transfer the aqueous phase to an eppendorf tube containing 50 μl ofsodium acetate and 500 μl of isopropanol.

Surface decontaminate the eppendorf tube with 5% Hycolin for 5 minutes.Remove the tube from the CL3 laboratory and continue with the procedurein laboratory 157.

Steps performed at Containment Level 2:

Precipitate the RNA at −70° C. for at least 30 minutes-can do this stepovernight.

Spin the precipitated RNA down at 13,000 rpm for 10 minutes. Remove thesupernatant and wash the pellet in 70% ethanol. Repeat centrifugation.

Remove the 70% ethanol and air-dry the pellet. Dissolve the pellet inRNAse free water.

Freeze the RNA at −70° C. to store it.

EXAMPLE 4 cDNA Labelling, Hybridization, and Analysis

Preparation of the Arrays

PCR-amplified products are generated from M. tuberculosis genomic DNAusing ORF-specific primers. Each gene of the genome is represented.These are spotted in a grid onto a standard glass microscope slide usinga BioRobotics microgrid robot (MWG Biotech) at a resolution of >4000spots/cm².

Fluorescently-labelled cDNA is transcribed from RNA which has beenisolated from bacteria grown under different environmental conditions.The cDNA is labelled by incorporation of either Cy3 or Cy5 labelled dCTP(Dyes are supplied by Amersham Pharmacia Biotech). Dual fluorescence isused, allowing simultaneous detection of two cDNA samples. The output ofthe arrays is read using a confocal laser scanner (Affimetrix 428scanner from MWG Biotech). More detailed information can be found inMujumdar, R. B. (1993) Bioconjugate Chemistry, 4(2), pp. 105-111; Yu, H.(1994) Nuci. Acids Res. 22, pp. 3226-3232; and Zhu, Z. (1994) Nucl.Acids Res. 22, pp. 3418-3422.

Labelling and Hybridisation of the cDNA

1. Cy3/Cy5 Label cDNA

Prepare one Cy3 and one Cy5 labelled cDNA sample per microarray slide.

Each sample: RNA 2-10 μg Random primers (3 μg/μl) 2 μl H₂O to 11 μl

Heat at 95° C. for 5 min, snap cool on ice and briefly centrifuge.

Add to each: 5 × First Strand Buffer 5 μl DTT (100 mM) 2.5 μl dNTPs (5mM dA/G/TTP, 2 mM dCTP) 2.3 μl Cy3 OR Cy5 dCTP 1.7 μl SuperScript II(200 U/μl 2.5 μl

Incubate at 25° C. for 10 min followed by 42° C. for 90 min.

2. Prehybridise Slide

Mix the prehybridization solution in a coplin jar and incubate at 60°during the labelling reaction to equilibrate.

Prehybridization: 20 × SSC 8.75 ml (3.5 × SSC) 20% SDS 250 μl (0.1% SDS)BSA (100 mg/ml) 5 ml (10 mg/ml) H₂O to 50 ml

Incubate the microarray slide in the pre-heated prehybridizationsolution at 60° C. for 20 min. Rinse slide in H₂O for 1 min followed byrinse in propan-2-ol for 1 min and centrifuge slide in 50 ml centrifugetube at 1500 rpm for 5 min to dry. Store slide until hybridization.

3. Purify Cy3/Cy5 Labelled cDNA

Combine the Cy3 and Cy5 labelled cDNA samples together in a single tube.

Add: 3 M sodium acetate pH 4.8  5 μl (0.1 volume) Propan-2-ol 40 μl (0.8volume)

Wrap the tube in foil and incubate at room temperature for 30 min.Centrifuge at 13000 rpm for 20 min and remove supernatant. Rinse pelletwith 100 μl 70% ethanol and centrifuge at 13000 rpm for 5 min. Removethe supernatant and air dry the pellet for 10 min. Resuspend the pelletin 10.5 μl H₂O.

4. Hybridize Slide with Cy3/Cy5 Labelled cDNA

Place the prehybridize microarray slide in the hybridization cassetteand add two 15 μl aliquots of H₂O to the wells in the cassette. Mixresuspended Cy3/Cy5 labelled cDNA sample with hybridization solution.

Hybridization: Cy3/Cy5 labelled cDNA sample 10.5 μl 20 × SSC  3.2 μl (4× SSC) 2% SDS  2.3 μl (0.3% SDS)

Heat hybridization solution at 95° C. for 2 min. Do NOT snap cool on icebut allow to cool slightly and briefly centrifuge. Pipette thehybridization solution onto the slide at the edge of the arrayed areaavoiding bubble formation. Using forceps carefully drag the edge of acover slip along the surface of the slide towards the arrayed area andinto the hybridization solution at the edge of the array. Carefullylower the cover slip down over the array avoiding any additionalmovement once in place. Seal the hybridization cassette and submerge ina water bath at 60° C. for 16-20 h.

5. Wash Slide

Remove microarray slide from hybridization cassette and initially washslide carefully in staining trough of Wash A to remove cover slip. Oncecover slip is displaced place slide(s) in slide rack and continueagitating in Wash A for a further 2 min.

Wash A: 20 × SSC 20 ml (1 × SSC) 20% SDS 1 ml (0.05% SDS) H₂O to 400 ml

Transfer slide(s) to a clean slide rack and agitate in first trough ofWash B for 2 min. Wash in second trough of Wash B with agitation for 2min.

Wash B (×2): 20 × SSC 1.2 ml (0.06 × SSC) H₂O to 400 ml

Place slide into a 50 ml centrifuge tube and centrifuge at 1500 rpm for5 mins to dry slide.

6. Scan Slide

Scan slide using a ScanArray 3000 dual-laser confocal scanner andanalyse data.

Reagents

-   Random primers (3 μl/μl) [Life Technol., Cat# 48190-011]-   dNTPs (5 mM dATP, dGTP, dTTP, & 2 mM dCTP) [Life Technol., Cat#    10297-018]-   Cy3 dCTP Fluorolink [Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Cat# PA53021]-   Cy5 dCTP Fluorolink [Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Cat# PA55021]-   SuperScript II Reverse Transcriptase (200 U/μl) [Life Technol., Cat#    18064-014]-   5× First Strand Buffer [Life Technol., supplied with Cat# 18064-014]-   Dithiothreitol (DTT) (100 mM) [Life Technol., supplied with Cat#    18064-014]-   Bovine serum albumin (BSA) Fraction V 96-99% (100 mg/ml) [Sigma,    Cat# A9418]

General:

-   -   20×SSC    -   20% SDS    -   3M sodium acetate pH4.8    -   Propan-2-ol    -   70% ethanol    -   2% SDS        Equipment

-   Microarray hybridization cassette [Telechem International, Cat#    AHC-1]

-   Coplin staining jar [Fisher Scientific, Cat# MNK-820-H]

-   3× slide staining troughs [Fisher Scientific, Cat# MNK-836-K]

-   2× slide staining racks [Fisher Scientific, Cat# MNK-841-K]

-   Glass cover slips 22×22 mm [BDH, Cat# 406/0187/33].    Scanning and Analysis

The slides were scanned using an Affymetrix 428 scanner. The raw datawere initially analyzed in software known as ImaGene, which was suppliedwith the scanner. The scanned images were then transferred to anothersoftware package known as GeneSpring. This is a very powerful tool,which draws information from many databases allowing the completeanalysis of the expression of each gene.

Results

Total RNA was extracted from steady state chemostat culture according tothe protocol described above. RNA microarray hybridization was performedin duplicate to compare RNA extracted from M. tuberculosis grown inaerobic (50% DOT) and low oxygen environments (1% DOT).

The two expression profiles were analyzed and compared. Genes thatappeared to be up regulated at least 1.5-fold under low oxygenconditions were selected for identification.

Nucleic acid sequences are given from the transcription start site tothe stop codon.

EXAMPLE 5 Delete One or More of the Genes from M. tuberculosis in Orderto Attenuate its Virulence while Retaining Immunogenicity

One or more genes that are identified may be disrupted using allelicexchange. In brief, the gene of interest is cloned with 1-2 kb offlanking DNA either side and is inactivated by deletion of part of thecoding region and insertion of an antibiotic resistance marker, such ashygromycin.

The manipulated fragment is then transferred to a suitable suicidevector e.g. pPR23 and is transformed into the wild-type parent strain ofM. tuberculosis. Mutants are recovered by selecting for antibioticresistant strains. Genotypic analysis (Southern Blotting with a fragmentspecific to the gene of interest) is performed on the selected strainsto confirm that the gene has been disrupted.

The mutant strain is then studied to determine the effect of the genedisruption on the phenotype. In order to use it as a vaccine candidateit would be necessary to demonstrate attenuated virulence. This can bedone using either a guinea pig or mouse model of infection. Animals areinfected with the mutant strain and the progression of disease ismonitored by determining the bacterial load in different organs, inparticular the lung and spleen, at specific time points post infection,typically up to 16 weeks.

Comparison is made to animals infected with the wild-type strain whichshould have a significantly higher bacterial load in the differentorgans. Long-term survival studies and histopathology can also be usedto assess virulence and pathogenicity.

Once attenuated virulence has been established, protection andimmunogenicity studies can be performed to assess the potential of thestrain as a vaccine. Suitable references for allelic exchange andpreparation of TB mutants are McKinney et al., 2000 and Pelicic et al.,1997, [1, 2].

EXAMPLE 6 Select One or More of our Genes, which Encode Proteins thatare Immunogenic, and Put Them into BCG or an Attenuated Strain of M.tuberculosis to Enhance its Overall Immunogenicity

The gene of interest is amplified from the M. tuberculosis genome byPCR. The amplified product is purified and cloned into a plasmid(pMV306) that integrates site specifically into the mycobacterial genomeat the attachment site (attB) for mycobacteriophage L5 [3].

BCG is transformed with the plasmid by electroporation, which involvesdamaging the cell envelope with high voltage electrical pulses,resulting in uptake of the DNA. The plasmid integrates into the BCGchromosome at the attB site generating stable recombinants. Recombinantsare selected and are checked by PCR or Southern blotting to ensure thatthe gene has been integrated. The recombinant strain is then used forprotection studies.

EXAMPLE 7 Use Recombinant Carriers such as Attenuated Salmonella and theVaccinia Virus to Express and Present TB Genes

One of the best examples of this type of approach is the use of ModifiedVaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) [4]. The gene of interest is cloned into avaccinia virus shuttle vector, e.g. pSC11. Baby Hamster Kidney (BHK)cells are then infected with wild-type MVA and are transfected with therecombinant shuttle vector. Recombinant virus is then selected using asuitable selection marker and viral plaques, selected and purified.

Recombinant virus is normally delivered as part of a prime-boost regimewhere animals are vaccinated initially with a DNA vaccine encoding theTB genes of interest under the control of a constitutive promoter. Theimmune response is boosted by administering recombinant MVA carrying thegenes of interest to the animals at least 2 weeks later.

EXAMPLE 8 Sub-Unit Vaccines Containing a Single Peptide/Protein or aCombination of Proteins

To prepare sub-unit vaccines with one or more peptides or proteins it isfirst of all necessary to obtain a supply of protein or peptide toprepare the vaccine. Up to now, this has mainly been achieved inmycobacterial studies by purifying proteins of interest from TB culture.However, it is becoming more common to clone the gene of interest andproduce a recombinant protein.

The coding sequence for the gene of interest is amplified by PCR withrestriction sites inserted at the N terminus and C terminus to permitcloning in-frame into a protein expression vector such as pET-15b. Thegene is inserted behind an inducible promoter such as lacZ. The vectoris then transformed into E. coli which is grown in culture. Therecombinant protein is over-expressed and is purified.

One of the common purification methods is to produce a recombinantprotein with an N-terminal His-tag. The protein can then be purified onthe basis of the affinity of the His-tag for metal ions on a Ni-NTAcolumn after which the His-tag is cleaved. The purified protein is thenadministered to animals in a suitable adjuvant [5].

EXAMPLE 9 Plasmid DNA Vaccines Carrying One or More of the IdentifiedGenes

DNA encoding a specific gene is amplified by PCR, purified and insertedinto specialized vectors developed for vaccine development, such aspVAX1. These vectors contain promoter sequences, which direct strongexpression of the introduced DNA (encoding candidate antigens) ineukaryotic cells (e.g. CMV or SV40 promoters), and polyadenlyationsignals (e.g. SV40 or bovine growth hormone) to stabilize the mRNAtranscript.

The vector is transformed into E. coli and transformants are selectedusing a marker, such as kanamycin resistance, encoded by the plasmid.The plasmid is then recovered from transformed colonies and is sequencedto check that the gene of interest is present and encoded properlywithout PCR generated mutations.

Large quantities of the plasmid is then produced in E. coli and theplasmid is recovered and purified using commercially available kits(e.g. Qiagen Endofree-plasmid preparation). The vaccine is thenadministered to animals for example by intramuscular injection in thepresence or absence of an adjuvant.

EXAMPLE 10 Preparation of DNA Expression Vectors

DNA vaccines consist of a nucleic acid sequence of the present inventioncloned into a bacterial plasmid. The plasmid vector pVAX1 is commonlyused in the preparation of DNA vaccines. The vector is designed tofacilitate high copy number replication in E. coli and high leveltransient expression of the peptide of interest in most mammalian cells.(For details see manufacturers protocol for pVAX1 (catalog no. V260-20).

The vector contains the following elements

-   -   Human cytomegalovirus immediate-early (CMV) promoter for        high-level expression in a variety of mammalian cells    -   T7 promoter/priming site to allow in vitro transcription in the        sense orientation and sequencing through the insert    -   Bovine growth hormone (BGH) polyadenylation signal for efficient        transcription termination and polyadenylation of mRNA    -   Kanamycin resistance gene for selection in E. coli    -   A multiple cloning site    -   pUC origin for high-copy number replication and growth in E.        coli    -   BGH reverse priming site to permit sequencing through the insert

Vectors may be prepared by means of standard recombinant techniqueswhich are known in the art, for example Sambrook et al., (1989). Keystages in preparing the vaccine are as follows:

-   -   The gene of interest is ligated into pVAX1 via one of the        multiple cloning sites    -   The ligation mixture is then transformed into a competent E.        coli strain (e.g., TOP10) and LB plates containing 50 μg/ml        kanamycin are used to select transformants.    -   Clones are selected and may be sequenced to confirm the presence        and orientation of the gene of interest.    -   Once the presence of the gene has been verified, the vector can        be used to transfect a mammalian cell line to check for protein        expression. Methods for transfection are known in the art and        include, for example, electroporation, calcium phosphate, and        lipofection.    -   Once peptide expression has been confirmed, large quantities of        the vector can be produced and purified from the appropriate        cell host, e.g. E coli.

pVAX1 does not integrate into the host chromosome. All non-essentialsequences have been removed to minimize the possibility of integration.When constructing a specific vector, a leader sequence may be includedto direct secretion of the encoded protein when expressed inside theeukaryotic cell.

Other examples of vectors that have been used are V1Jns.tPA and pCMV4(Lefevre et al., 2000 and Vordermeier et al., 2000).

Expression vectors may be used that integrate into the genome of thehost, however, it is more common and more preferable to use a vectorthat does not integrate. The example provided, pVAX1, does notintegrate. Integration would lead to the generation of a geneticallymodified host which raises other issues.

EXAMPLE 11 RNA Vaccine

As discussed on page 15 of US patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,386, oneapproach is to introduce RNA directly into the host.

Thus, the vector construct (Example 10) may be used to generate RNA invitro and the purified RNA then injected into the host. The RNA wouldthen serve as a template for translation in the host cell. Integrationwould not occur.

Another option is to use an infectious agent such as the retroviralgenome carrying RNA corresponding to the gene of interest. Here you willget integration into the host genome

Another option is the use of RNA replicon vaccines which can be derivedfrom virus vectors such as Sindbis virus or Semliki Forest virus. Thesevaccines are self-replicating and self-limiting and may be administeredas either RNA or DNA which is then transcribed into RNA replicons invivo. The vector eventually causes lysis of the transfected cellsthereby reducing concerns about integration into the host genome.Protocols for RNA vaccine construction are detailed in Cheng et al.,(2001).

EXAMPLE 12 Diagnostic Assays Based on Assessing T Cell Responses

For a diagnostic assay based on assessing T cell responses it would besufficient to obtain a sample of blood from the patient. Mononuclearcells (monocytes, T and B lymphocytes) can be separated from the bloodusing density gradients such as Ficoll gradients.

Both monocytes and B-limphocytes are able to present antigen, althoughless efficiently than professional antigen presenting cells (APCs) suchas dendritic cells. The latter are more localized in lymphoid tissue.

The simplest approach would be to add antigen to the separatedmononuclear cells and incubate for a week and then assess the amount ofproliferation. If the individual had been exposed to the antigenpreviously through infection, then T-cell closes specific to the antigenshould be more prevalent in the sample and should respond.

It is also possible to separate the different cellular populationsshould it be desired to control the ratio of T cells to APC's.

Another variation of this type of assay is to measure cytokineproduction by the responding lymphocytes as a measure of response. TheELISPOT assay described below in Example 13 is a suitable example ofthis variation.

EXAMPLE 13 Detection of Latent Mycobacteria

A major problem for the control of tuberculosis is the presence of alarge reservoir of asymptomatic individuals infected with tuberclebacilli. Dormant bacilli are more resistant to front-line drugs.

The presence of latent mycobacteria-associated antigen may be detectedindirectly either by detecting antigen specific antibody or T-cells inblood samples.

The following method is based on the method described in Lalvani et al.(2001) in which a secreted antigen, ESAT-6, was identified as beingexpressed by members of the M. tuberculosis complex but is absent fromM. bovis BCG vaccine strains and most environmental mycobacteria. 60-80%of patients also have a strong cellular immune response to ESAT-6. Anex-vivo ELISPOT assay was used to detect ESAT-6 specific T cells.

As applied to the present invention:

A 96 well plate is coated with cytokine (e.g. interferon-γ,IL-2)-specific antibody. Peripheral blood monocytes are then isolatedfrom patient whole blood and are applied to the wells.

Antigen (ie. one of the peptides, fragments, derivatives or variants ofthe present invention) is added to stimulate specific T cells that maybe present and the plates are incubated for 24 h. The antigen stimulatescytokine production which then binds to the specific antibody.

The plates are washed leaving a footprint where antigen-specific T cellswere present.

A second antibody coupled with a suitable detection system, e.g. enzyme,is then added and the number of spots are enumerated after theappropriate substrate has been added.

The number of spots, each corresponding to a single antigen-specific Tcell, is related to the total number of cells originally added.

The above Example also describes use of an antigen that may be used todistinguish TB infected individuals from BCG vaccinated individuals.This could be used in a more discriminative diagnostic assay.

EXAMPLE 14 Alternative Protocol for Transcriptomics Analysis

a) Experimental Design

RNA was extracted from aerobic (50% DOT) and low-oxygen (1% DOT)cultures and fluorescently labelled cDNA was transcribed from eachsample of RNA. Fluorescently labelled cDNA was also transcribed fromgenomic DNA which had been extracted from M. tuberculosis.

In each microarray experiment a whole genome array was hybridized with asample of labelled cDNA generated from RNA from one culture sample (Testsample). Each array was also hybridized with control cDNA prepared fromgenomic DNA (Control sample). The test and control cDNAs were eachlabelled with a different cy dye.

Nine separate arrays were performed for aerobic samples and sevenlow-oxygen arrays were performed. Each array was scanned at twodifferent wavelengths corresponding to the excitation maxima of each dyeusing an Affimetrix 428 array scanner. The intensity of the emittedlight was recorded and the data was analyzed using GeneSpring software.

The test sample data on each chip was normalized against the controldata followed by per chip normalization about the median intensityvalue, using the 50th percentile, and finally per gene normalizationacross all the arrays. In this instance those genes which were expressedat least 1.5-fold higher under low-oxygen conditions relative to aerobicculture were selected for identification.

b) RNA Extraction from M. tuberculosis for Microarray Analysis

Materials and Methods

Trizol (Life Technologies)—formulation of phenol and guanidinethiocyanate.

GTC lysis solution containing: 5M guanidine thiocyanate, 0.5% N-laurylsarcosine, 25 mM tri-sodium citrate, 0.1M 2-mercaptoethanol, and 0.5%Tween 80.

-   Chloroform, Isopropanol-   3M sodium acetate-   70% Ethanol-   microfuge, ribolyser-   Sterile plasticware—Falcon tubes, screw capped eppendorfs, gilson    tips—all RNase free-   Glassware—baked at 160° C. for at least 16 hours    Method

Steps performed at Containment level 3; within a Class IIImicrobiological safety cabinet.

-   -   Remove 10 or 20 ml of culture (10⁹/ml) and immediately add this        to 4 volumes of GTC lysis buffer in a plastic specimen pot. Seal        the pot tightly.    -   Incubate the cells in GTC lysis buffer for 1 hour at room        temperature. Surface decontaminate the plastic pot with 5%        Hycolin for 5 minutes. Transfer the sample to the pass box and        place it into a plastic carry tin with a sealable lid. Close the        container securely and transport it to a nor-toxic cabinet CL3        cabinet.    -   Equally distribute the lysis mixture between Falcon tubes. Place        these tubes into centrifuge buckets and seal the buckets        tightly. Surface-decontaminate the buckets for 5 minutes with 5%        Hycolin. Then transfer them to the centrifuge (Baird and Tatlock        Mark IV refrigerated bench-top centrifuge). Spin the tubes at        3,000 rpm for 30 minutes.    -   Return the unopened buckets to the cabinet. Remove the        centrifuge tubes and pour the supernatant into a waste bottle        for GTC lysis buffer.    -   Resuspend each pellet in 1 ml of Trizol (formulation of phenol        and GTC cat no. 15596-026). The manufacturers guidelines        recommend lysing cells by repetitive pipetting. Although this        action alone will not lyse M. tuberculosis, it is important to        completely resuspend the pellet in Trizol.    -   Transfer 1 ml of cells into each FastRNA tube and ribolyse them        at power setting 6.5 for 45 seconds.    -   Leave the tubes to incubate at room temperature for 5 minutes.    -   Remove the aqueous layer from each tube and add this to 200 μl        of chloroform in a screw-capped eppendorf tube. Shake each tube        vigorously for about 15 seconds. Incubate for 2-3 minutes at        room temperature.    -   Spin the tubes at 13,000 rpm for 15 minutes. Following        centrifugation, the liquid separates into red phenol/chloroform        phase, an interface, and a clear aqueous phase.    -   Carefully remove the aqueous phase and transfer it to fresh        eppendorf tubes containing 500 μl of chloroform/isoamyl alcohol        (24:1). Spin the tubes at 13,000 rpm for 15 minutes.    -   Transfer the aqueous phase to eppendorf tubes containing 50 μl        of sodium acetate and 500 μl of isopropanol.    -   Surface decontaminate the eppendorf tubes with 5% Hycolin for 5        minutes. Remove the tubes from the CL3 laboratory and continue        with the procedure in laboratory 157.

Steps performed at Containment level 2:

-   -   Precipitate the RNA at −70° C. for at least 30 minutes-can do        this step overnight.    -   Spin the precipitated RNA down at 13,000 rpm for 10 minutes.        Remove the supernatant and wash the pellet in 70% ethanol.        Repeat centrifugation.    -   Remove the 70% ethanol and air-dry the pellet. Dissolve the        pellet in RNAse free water.    -   Freeze the RNA at −70° C. to store it.    -   The RNA was treated with DNAse1 to remove genomic DNA and was        then purified using RNeasy mini columns (Qiagen). Both methods        were performed according to the manufacturers guidelines.        c) Isolation of Genomic DNA from M. tuberculosis Grown in        Chemostat Culture

DNA is then used to generate Cy3 or Cy5 labelled DNA for use as acontrol in microarray experiments

Materials and Methods

-   Beads 0.5 mm in diameter-   Bead beater-   Bench top centrifuge-   Platform rocker-   Heat block-   Falcon 50 ml centrifuge tubes-   Sorvall RC-5C centrifuge-   250 ml polypropylene centrifuge pots.-   Screw capped eppendorf tubes-   Pipettes 1 ml, 200 μl, 10 ml, 5 ml    Breaking Buffer—-   50 mM Tris HCL pH 8.0-   10 mM EDTA-   100 mM NaCl    Procedure    Mechanical Disruption of Mtb Cells    -   150 ml of chemostat cells (O.D of 2.5 at 540 nm) are spun down        at 15,000 rpm for 15 minutes in 250 ml polypropylene pots using        centrifuge Sorvall RC-5C.    -   The supernatant is discarded.    -   Cells are resuspended in 5 ml of breaking buffer in a 50 ml        Falcon tube and centrifuged at 15,000 rpm for a further 15        minutes.    -   The supernatant is removed and additional breaking buffer is        added at a volume of 5 ml. Beads are used to disrupt the cells.        These are used at a quantity of 1 ml of beads for 1 ml of cells.        Place the sample into the appropriate sized chamber. Place in        the bead beater and secure the outer unit (containing ice) and        process at the desired speed for 30 seconds.    -   Allow the beads to settle for 10 minutes and transfer cell        lysate to a 50 ml Falcon centrifuge tube    -   Wash beads with 2-5 ml of breaking buffer by pipetting washing        buffer up and down over the beads.    -   Add this washing solution to the lysate in the falcon tube        Removal of Proteins and Cellular Components    -   Add 0.1 volumes of 10% SDS and 0.01 volumes of proteinase K.    -   Mix by inversion of heat at 55° C. in a heat block for 2-3 hours    -   The resulting mix should be homogenous and viscous. If it isn't        then add more SDS to bring the concentration up to 0.2%    -   Add an equal volume of phenol/chlorofonn/lsoamyl alcohol in the        ratio: 25/24/1.    -   Gently mix on a platform rocker until homogenous    -   Spin down at 3,000 rpm for 20 minutes    -   Remove the aqueous phase and place in a fresh tube    -   Extract the aqueous phase with an equal volume of chloroform to        remove traces of cell debris and phenol. Chloroform extractions        may need to be repeated to remove all the debris.    -   Precipitate the DNA with 0.3 M sodium acetate and an equal        volume of isopropanol.    -   Spool as much DNA as you can with a glass rod    -   Wash the spooled DNA in 70% ethanol followed by 100% ethanol    -   Leave to air dry    -   Dissolve the DNA in sterile deionized water (500 μl)    -   Allow DNA to dissolve at 4° C. for approximately 16 hours.    -   Add RNase 1 (500 U) to the dissolved DNA    -   Incubate for 1 hour at 37° C.    -   Re-extract with an equal volume of phenol/chloroform followed by        a chloroform extraction and precipitate as before    -   Spin down the DNA at 13,000 rpm    -   Remove the supematant and wash the pellet in 70% ethanol    -   Air dry    -   Dissolve in 200-500 μl of sterile water.        d) Preparation of Cy3 or Cy5 Labelled DNA from DNA

Prepare one Cy3 or one Cy5 labelled DNA sample per microarray slide.

For each sample:

DNA 2-5 μg Random primers (3 μg/μl) 1 μl H₂O to 41.5 μl

Heat at 95° C. for 5 min, snap cool on ice and briefly centrifuge.

Add to each:

10 × REact 2 buffer 5 μl dNTPs (5 mM dA/G/TTP, 2 mM dCTP) 1 μl Cy3 ORCy5 dCTP 1.5 μl Klenow (5 U/μl) 1 μl Incubate at 37° C. in dark for 90min.Prehybridize Slide

Mix the prehybridization solution in a Coplin jar and incubate at 65° C.during the labelling reaction to equilibrate.

Prehybridization: 20 × SSC 8.75 ml (3.5 × SSC) 20% SDS 250 μl (0.1% SDS)BSA (100 mg/ml) 5 ml (10 mg/ml) H₂O to 50 ml

Incubate the microarray slide in the pre-heated prehybridizationsolution at 65° C. for 20 min. Rinse slide thoroughly in 400 ml H₂O for1 min followed by rinse in 400 ml propan-2-ol for 1 min and centrifugeslide in 50 ml centrifuge tube at 1,500 rpm for 5 min to dry. Storeslide in dark, dust-free box until hybridization (<1 h).

Purify Cy3/Cy5 Labelled DNA—Qiagen MinElute Purification

-   -   Combine Cy3 and Cy5 labelled DNA samples in single tube and add        500 μl Buffer PB.    -   Apply to MinElute column in collection tube and centrifuge at        13,000 rpm for 1 min.    -   Discard flow-through and place MinElute column back into same        collection tube.    -   Add 500 μl Buffer PE to MinElute column and centrifuge at 13,000        rpm for 1 min.    -   Discard flow-through and place MinElute column back into same        collection tube.    -   Add 250 μl Buffer PE to MinElute column and centrifuge at 13,000        rpm for 1 min.    -   Discard flow-through and place MinElute column back into same        collection tube.    -   Centrifuge at 13,000 rpm for an additional 1 min to remove        residual ethanol.    -   Place the MinElute column into a fresh 1.5 ml tube.    -   Add 10.5 μl H₂O to the centre of the membrane and allow to stand        for 1 min.    -   Centrifuge at 13,000 rpm for 1 min.        e) Preparation of Cy3 or Cy5 label cDNA from RNA

Prepare one Cy3 and one Cy5 labelled cDNA sample per microarray slide.

For each sample:

RNA 2-10 μg Random primers (3 μg/μl) 1 μl H₂O to 11 μl

Heat at 95° C. for 5 min, snap cool on ice and briefly centrifuge.

Add to each:

5 × First Strand Buffer   5 μl DTT (100 mM) 2.5 μl dNTPs (5 mM dA/G/TTP,2 mM dCTP) 2.3 μl Cy3 OR Cy5 dCTP 1.7 μl SuperScript II (200 U/μl) 2.5μl

Incubate at 25° C. in dark for 10 min followed by 42° C. in dark for 90min.

Prehybridize Slide

Mix the prehybridization solution in a Coplin jar and incubate at 65° C.during the labelling reaction to equilibrate.

Prehybridization: 20 × SSC 8.75 ml (3.5 × SSC) 20% SDS 250 μl (0.1% SDS)BSA (100 mg/ml) 5 ml (10 mg/ml) H₂O to 50 ml

Incubate the microarray slide in the pre-heated prehybridizationsolution at 65° C. for 20 min. Rinse slide thoroughly in 400 ml H₂O for1 min followed by rinse in 400 ml propan-2-ol for 1 min and centrifugeslide in 50 ml centrifuge tube at 1500 rpm for 5 min to dry. Store slidein dark, dust-free box until hybridization (<1 h).

Purify Cy3/Cy5 Labelled cDNA—Qiagen MinElute Purification

-   -   Combine Cy3 and Cy5 labelled DNA samples in single tube and add        250 μl Buffer PB.    -   Apply to MinElute column in collection tube and centrifuge at        13,000 rpm for 1 min.    -   Discard flow-through and place MinElute column back into same        collection tube.    -   Add 500 μl Buffer PE to MinElute column and centrifuge at 13,000        rpm for 1 min.    -   Discard flow-through and place MinElute column back into same        collection tube.    -   Add 250 μl Buffer PE to MinElute column and centrifuge at 13,000        rpm for 1 min.    -   Discard flow-through and place MinElute column back into same        collection tube.    -   Centrifuge at 13,000 rpm for an additional 1 min to remove        residual ethanol.    -   Place the MinElute column into a fresh 1.5 ml tube.    -   Add 10.5 μl H₂O to the centre of the membrane and allow to stand        for 1 min.    -   Centrifuge at 13,000 rpm for 1 min.        f) Hybridize slide with Cy3/Cy5 labelled cDNA/DNA

Place the prehybridized microarray slide in the hybridization cassetteand add two 15 μl aliquots of H₂O to the wells in the cassette. Mixresuspended Cy3/Cy5 labelled cDNA sample with hybridization solution.

Hybridization: Cy3/Cy5 labelled cDNA sample 10.5 μl 20 × SSC  3.2 μl (4× SSC) 2% SDS  2.3 μl (0.3% SDS)

Heat hybridization solution at 95° C. for 2 min. Do NOT snap cool on icebut allow to cool slightly and briefly centrifuge. Pipette thehybridization solution onto the slide at the edge of the arrayed areaavoiding bubble formation. Using forceps carefully drag the edge of acover slip along the surface of the slide towards the arrayed area andinto the hybridization solution at the edge of the array. Carefullylower the cover slip down over the array avoiding any additionalmovement once in place. Seal the hybridization cassette and submerge ina water bath at 60° C. for 16-20 h.

Wash Slide

Remove microarray slide from hybridization cassette and initially washslide carefully in staining trough of Wash A, preheated to 65° C., toremove cover slip. Once cover slip is displaced place slide(s) in sliderack and continue agitating in Wash A for a further 2 min.

Wash A:

20 × SSC 20 ml (1 × SSC) 20% SDS 1 ml (0.05% SDS) H₂O to 400 ml

Transfer slide(s) to a clean slide rack and agitate in first trough ofWash B for 2 min. Wash in second trough of Wash B with agitation for 2min.

Wash B (×2):

20 × SSC 1.2 ml (0.06 × SSC) H₂O to 400 ml

Place slide into a 50 ml centrifuge tube and centrifuge at 1500 rpm for5 mins to dry the slide and then scan fluorescence using a microarrayslide scanner. The slides were scanned using an Affymetrix 428 scanner.The raw data was analyzed using a combination of ImaGene and Gene Springsoftware.

g) Preparation of the Arrays

Whole M. tuberculosis genome arrays were prepared from M. tuberculosisgenomic DNA using ORF-specific primers. PCR products corresponding toeach ORF were spotted in a grid onto a standard glass microscope slideusing a BioRobotics microgrid robot (MWG Biotech) at a resolutionof >4000 spots/cm².

Results

Transcriptomics analysis of M. tuberculosis DNA coding sequences thatare up-regulated under low DOT continuous culture conditions hasidentified the following SEQ IDs (see Table 2). Referring to the SEQ.ID. NO. column, the first identified number is an amino acid sequenceand the second identified number is the corresponding DNA sequence.

TABLE 2 SEQ Gene Assigned function ID NO. Rv 1344 Acyl carrier protein1, 2 Rv0283 3, 4 Rv3402c Aminotransferase in polysaccharide 5, 6biosynthesis Rv3049c Monooxygenase 7, 8 Rv2382c (mbtC) Involved inmycobactin biosynthesis  9, 10 Rv2381c (mbtD) Involved in mycobactinbiosynthesis 11, 12 Rv2379c (mbtF) Involved in mycobactin biosynthesis13, 14 Rv1994c Transcription regulator, similar to eg 15, 16 MERRprobable mercury resistance operon Rv0251c (hsp) Heat shock proteinbelonging to HSP20 17, 18 family Rv3174 Oxidoreductase 19, 20 fadE14(Rv1346) Acyl CoA dehyrogenase 21, 22 LipK (Rv2385) Esterase/acetylhydrolase 23, 24 appC (Rv1623c) Cytochrome D 25, 26 Rv0725c 27, 28Rv3639c 29, 30 Rv0560c Methyltransferase 31, 32 Rv2053c 33, 34 IpqS(Rv0847) Lipoprotein containing a signal peptide 35, 36 Rv3767c Proteinwith a probable N-terminal signal 37, 38 peptide Rv3812 39, 40 Rv2210c(ilvE) Branched chain amino acid transaminase 41, 42 Rv2516c Proteincontaining a helix-turn-helix motif 43, 44 Rv0870c Hydrophobic protein45, 46 Rv1168c PPE protein 47, 48 Rv2448c (valS) Valyl-tRNA synthetase49, 50 Rv2378c (mbtG) Involved in mycobactin 51, 52 biosynthesis. Lysinehydroxylase Rv2377c (mbtH) Involved in mycobactin biosynthesis 53, 54Rv0135c Transcriptional regulator 55, 56 Rv2025c 57, 58 Rv0985c (mscL)59, 60 Rv0938 61, 62 Rv2554c 63, 64 Rv1342c Membrane protein 65, 66Rv0397 67, 68 Rv1389 (gmk) Guanylate kinase 69, 70 Rv0123 71, 72 Rv3001c(ilvC) Ketol acid reducto isomerase 73, 74 Rv3839 75, 76 Rv2164c Prolinerich protein 77, 78 Rv2017 Transcriptional regulator 79, 80 Rv1982c 81,82 Rv3758c (proV) ABC transporter. ATP binding protein 83, 84 Rv3697c85, 86 Rv1228 (lpqX) Protein containing a signal peptide 87, 88 Rv300089, 90 Rv3037c 91, 92 Rv1634 Membrane protein of major facilitator 93,94 super family, similar to many antibiotic resistance (efflux) proteinsRv1300 (hemK) Protoporphyrinogen oxidase 95, 96 Rv2327 unknown 97, 98Rv1221 (sigE) Sigma factor  99, 100 Rv1617 (pykA) Pyruvate kinase 101,102 Rv0792c Transcriptional regulator, similar to many 103, 104 of GntRfamily e.g. Bacillus subtilis Rv1509 105, 106 Rv3081 Contains PSO 0850107, 108 Rv0347 Similar to Rv0831c 109, 110 Rv0573c 111, 112 Rv2019 113,114

EXAMPLE 15 Protocol for Protein Extraction and Characterisation

M. tuberculosis H37Rv was grown in continuous culture under aerobic (50%DOT) and low oxygen (1% DOT) conditions and samples were collectedduring the steady-state (see Example 1).

Harvesting of Culture Cell Pellets

-   -   300-350 ml of culture is collected overnight on ice.    -   The culture is centrifuged for 10 minutes at 15,000 rpm in        dry-spin tubes using a Sorvall RC5B centrifuge at 4° C.    -   The supernatant is decanted off and the cell pellets are        collected in to tubes and stored frozen at −40° C.        Preparation of Protein Extracts from Cell Pellets    -   One sample of steady state cell pellets from each of 3 aerobic        and 2 low oxygen chemostat cultures were removed from the        freezer and allowed to thaw at room temperature for 1 hour.    -   Each pellet is resuspended in 40 mls Tris-HCL buffer [40 mM        Tris, 1 mM EDTA (pH 6.9) and 200 μl protease inhibitor cocktail        (Sigma, P8645) per 40 mls] and re-pelleted by centrifugation at        12,000 rpm at 4° C.    -   Each cell pellet is then resuspended with approximately 1 ml of        buffer.    -   0.5 ml aliquots of the bacterial suspensions are dispensed into        separate ribolyser tubes (Anachem).    -   Each tube is ribolysed for 3×90 seconds cycles (maximum        power-setting 6.5) with 5 mins on ice between each cycle.    -   After ribolysing the protein preparations for each sample were        pooled and the following chemicals added:

3.2 g Urea 64.8 mg DTT 300 μl Ampholytes (servalyte 2-4 servaelectrophoresis) 0.24 g CHAPS

-   -   Each chemical is allowed to dissolve before adding the next.    -   The samples are incubated for 30 minutes at room temperature.    -   The samples were dispensed in to eppendorf tubes and centrifuged        at 12,000 rpm for 5 minutes.    -   The clear soluble protein preparations are then removed and        double filtered through a 0.2 μm cellulose acetate filter        membrane.    -   Protein determinations of the samples using a Biorad assay was        performed with a Bovine serum albumin standard curve and the        samples found to contain between 6-8.5 mg/ml of protein.        Proteomics Analysis using 2D Electrophoresis

Representative protein samples of the low-oxygen and aerobic chemostatcultures were sent away for 2D Electrophoresis analysis to the WittmanInstitute of Technology and Analysis of Biomolecules (WITA), Berlin.

-   -   Protein separation of each sample by 2D electrophoresis        (Jungblut et al., Infect Immun 2001 September; 69(9):5905-7) was        carried out on both Coomassie brilliant blue and silver stained        gels produced using 70 μl and 25 μl of protein samples        respectively.        Protein Identification    -   The most abundant protein spots on the Coomassie low oxygen gel        were excised and sent for Mass spectrometry determination by        Robin Wait (Jungblut et al., Infect Immun 2001 September;        69(9):5905-7) for protein identification.

The following proteins were identified, and are listed (together withtheir corresponding DNA coding sequences) in Table 3.

TABLE 3 SEQ ID Gene Assigned function NO. Rv3040 31.5 kDa protein 115,116 Rv1288 Antigen 85B-precursor 117, 118 Rv0649 Malonyl CoA-acylcarrier protein transacylase 119, 120 Rv1357c 29.8 and 31.7 kDa proteins121, 122 Rv2230c 39.6 kDa protein 123, 124 Rv2468c 125, 126 Rv3011cGlutamyl-tRNA (Gln) amidotransferase subunit/ 127, 128 ATPB MYCTU ATPsynthase beta chain Rv2868c GcpE protein homolog 129, 130 Rv0718 30Sribosomal protein S8 131, 132 Rv1267c Response regulator, similar to133, 134 AFSR_STRCO P25941 Rv1294 Homoserine dehydrogenase 135, 136Rv0844c Nitrate/nitrite response regulator (NARL) 137, 138

REFERENCES

-   1. McKinney, J. D., et al., Persistence of Mycobacterium    tuberculosis in macrophages and mice requires the glyoxylate shunt    enzyme isocrtrate lyase [see comments]. Nature, 2000. 406(6797): p.    735-8.-   2. Pelicic, V., et al., Efficient allelic exchange and transposon    mutagenesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci    USA, 1997. 94(20): p. 10955-60.-   3. Lee, M. H., et al., Site-specific integration of    mycobacteriophage L5: integration-proficient vectors for    Mycobacterium smegmatis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and bacille    Calmette-Guerin. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 1991. 88(8): p. 3111-5.-   4. McShane, H., et al., Enhanced immunogenicity of CD4(+) t-cell    responses and protective efficacy of a DNA-modified vaccinia virus    Ankara prime-boost vaccination regimen for murine tuberculosis.    Infect Immun, 2001.69(2): p. 681-6.-   5. Movahedzadeh, F., M. J. Colston, and E. O. Davis,    Characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis LexA: recognition of    a Cheo (Bacillus-type SOS) box. Microbiology, 1997. 143(Pt 3): p.    929-36.

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

-   Sambrook, J., E. F. Fritsch, and T. Maniatis. 1989. Molecular    cloning: a laboratory manual, 2nd ed. Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory    Press, Cold Spring Harbour, N.Y.-   Lefever, P., O. Denis, L. De Wit, A. Tanghe, P. Vandenbussche, J.    Content, and K. Huygen. 2000. Cloning of the gene encoding a    22-kilodalton cell surface antigen of Mycobacterium bovis BCG and    analysis of its potential for DNA vaccination against tuberculosis.    Infection and Immunity. 68:1040-1047.-   Vordermeire, H. M., P. J. Cockle, A. O. Whelan, S. Rhodes, M. A.    Chambers, D.

Clifford, K. Huygen, R. Tascon, D. Lowrie, M. J. Colston, and R. G.Hewinson. 2000. Effective DNA vaccination of cattle with themycobacterial antigens MPB83 and MPB70 does not compromise thespecificity of the comparative intradermal tuberculin skin test.Vaccine. 19:1246-1255.

-   Cheng, W., C. Hung, C. Chai, K. Hsu, L. He, C. Rice, M. Ung, and T.    Wu. 2001. Enhancement of Sindbis virus self-replicating RNA vaccine    potency by linkage of Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat shock protein    70 gene to an antigen. J. Immunol. 166:6218-6226.-   Lalvani, A. et al., 2001. Enhanced contact tracing and spatial    tracking of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection by enumeration of    antigen-specific T cells. The Lancet 357:2017-2021.

1. An isolated M. tuberculosis peptide selected from the groupconsisting of SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 89, or a variant thereof having atleast 70% amino acid homology therewith, or a fusion protein thereof,wherein said fusion protein or variant has a common antigeniccross-reactivity to said isolated peptide; wherein the peptide isencoded by a gene the expression of which is induced or up-regulatedduring culture of M. tuberculosis under continuous culture conditionsdefined by a dissolved oxygen tension of up to 10% air saturationmeasured at 37° C. when compared with a dissolved oxygen tension of atleast 40% air saturation measured at 37° C.
 2. A therapeutic agent forcombating mycobacterial infections, comprising an isolated M.tuberculosis peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:39 and 89, or a fusion protein thereof, wherein said fusion protein hasa common antigenic cross-reactivity to said isolated peptide; whereinthe peptide is encoded by a gene the expression of which is induced orup-regulated during culture of M. tuberculosis under continuous cultureconditions defined by a dissolved oxygen tension of up to 10% airsaturation measured at 37° C. when compared with a dissolved oxygentension of at least 40% air saturation measured at 37° C.
 3. Amedicament for treating a mycobacterial infection, comprising anisolated M. tuberculosis peptide selected from the group consisting ofSEQ ID NOs: 39 and 89, or a fusion protein thereof, wherein said fusionprotein has a common antigenic cross-reactivity to said isolatedpeptide; wherein the peptide is encoded by a gene the expression ofwhich is induced or up-regulated during culture of M. tuberculosis undercontinuous culture conditions defined by a dissolved oxygen tension ofup to 10% air saturation measured at 37° C. when compared with adissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% air saturation measured at 37°C.
 4. A method of treating an M. tuberculosis infection, comprisingadministering to a patient an isolated M. tuberculosis peptide selectedfrom the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 89, or a fusion proteinthereof, wherein said fusion protein has a common antigeniccross-reactivity to said isolated peptide; wherein the peptide isencoded by a gene the expression of which is induced or up-regulatedduring culture of M. tuberculosis under continuous culture conditionsdefined by a dissolved oxygen tension of up to 10% air saturationmeasured at 37° C. when compared with a dissolved oxygen tension of atleast 40% air saturation measured at 37° C.
 5. A diagnostic reagent foridentifying a mycobacterial infection, comprising an isolated M.tuberculosis peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:39 and 89, or a fusion protein thereof, wherein said fusion protein hasa common antigenic cross-reactivity to said isolated peptide; whereinthe peptide is encoded by a gene the expression of which is induced orup-regulated during culture of M. tuberculosis under continuous cultureconditions defined by a dissolved oxygen tension of up to 10% airsaturation measured at 37° C. when compared with a dissolved oxygentension of at least 40% air saturation measured at 37° C.
 6. A method ofdiagnosing a mycobacterial infection, comprising the steps of (a)incubating a biological sample with an isolated M. tuberculosis peptideselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 89, and (b)detecting antibodies to mycobacteria, wherein said antibodies bind tosaid isolated peptide, and thereby detecting mycobacterial infection,wherein the peptide is encoded by a gene the expression of which isinduced or up-regulated during culture of M. tuberculosis undercontinuous culture conditions defined by a dissolved oxygen tension ofup to 10% air saturation measured at 37° C. when compared with adissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% air saturation measured at 37°C.
 7. An isolated peptide, wherein said isolated peptide is: (i) afragment of an isolated M. tuberculosis peptide selected from the groupconsisting of SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 89, wherein said fragment has at least35 amino acid residues; or (ii) a variant of (i) having at least 70%amino acid homology therewith; or (iii) a fusion protein of (i) or (ii),wherein said fragment, variant or fusion protein has a common antigeniccross-reactivity to said isolated M. tuberculosis peptide; and whereinthe M. tuberculosis peptide is encoded by a gene the expression of whichis induced or up-regulated during culture of M. tuberculosis undercontinuous culture conditions defined by a dissolved oxygen tension ofup to 10% air saturation measured at 37° C. when compared with adissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% air saturation measured at 37°C.
 8. A therapeutic agent for combating mycobacterial infections,comprising an isolated peptide, wherein said isolated peptide is: (i) avariant having at least 90% amino acid homology with a peptide selectedfrom the group consisting of: (a) an isolated M. tuberculosis peptideselected from the group consisting of SEQ lID NOs: 39 and 89; and (b) afragment of (a) having at least 35 amino acid residues; or (ii) a fusionprotein of (i); wherein said variant, fragment or fusion protein has acommon antigenic cross-reactivity to said isolated M. tuberculosispeptide; and wherein the M. tuberculosis peptide is encoded by a genethe expression of which is induced or up-regulated during culture of M.tuberculosis under continuous culture conditions defined by a dissolvedoxygen tension of up to 10% air saturation measured at 37° C. whencompared with a dissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% air saturationmeasured at 37° C.
 9. A medicament for treating a mycobacterialinfection, comprising an isolated peptide, wherein said isolated peptideis: (i) a variant having at least 90% amino acid homology with a peptideselected from the group consisting of: (a) an isolated M. tuberculosispeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 89; and(b) a fragment of (a) having at least 35 amino acid residues; or (ii) afusion protein of (i); wherein said variant, fragment or fusion proteinhas a common antigenic cross-reactivity to said isolated M. tuberculosispeptide; and wherein the M. tuberculosis peptide is encoded by a genethe expression of which is induced or up-regulated during culture of M.tuberculosis under continuous culture conditions defined by a dissolvedoxygen tension of up to 10% air saturation measured at 37° C. whencompared with a dissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% air saturationmeasured at 37° C.
 10. A diagnostic reagent for identifying amycobacterial infection, comprising an isolated peptide, wherein saidisolated peptide is: (i) a variant having at least 90% amino acidhomology with a peptide selected from the group consisting of: (a) anisolated M. tuberculosis peptide selected from the group consisting ofSEQ ID NOs: 39 and 89; and (b) a fragment of (a) having at least 35amino acid residues; or (ii) a fusion protein of (i); wherein saidvariant, fragment or fusion protein has a common antigeniccross-reactivity to said isolated M. tuberculosis peptide; and whereinthe M. tuberculosis peptide is encoded by a gene the expression of whichis induced or up-regulated during culture of M. tuberculosis undercontinuous culture conditions defined by a dissolved oxygen tension ofup to 10% air saturation measured at 37° C. when compared with adissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% air saturation measured at 37°C.
 11. A therapeutic agent for combating mycobacterial infections,comprising an isolated peptide, wherein said isolated peptide is: (i) afragment of an isolated M. tuberculosis peptide selected from the groupconsisting of SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 89, wherein said fragment has at least35 amino acid residues; or (ii) a fusion protein of (i) wherein saidfragment or fusion protein has a common antigenic cross-reactivity tosaid isolated M. tuberculosis peptide; and wherein the peptide isencoded by a gene the expression of which is induced or up-regulatedduring culture of M. tuberculosis under continuous culture conditionsdefined by a dissolved oxygen tension of up to 10% air saturationmeasured at 37° C. when compared with a dissolved oxygen tension of atleast 40% air saturation measured at 37° C.
 12. A medicament fortreating a mycobacterial infection, comprising an isolated peptide,wherein said isolated peptide is: (i) a fragment of an isolated M.tuberculosis peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:39 and 89, wherein said fragment has at least 35 amino acid residues;(ii) a fusion protein of (i); wherein said fragment or fusion proteinhas a common antigenic cross-reactivity to said isolated M. tuberculosispeptide; and wherein the peptide is encoded by a gene the expression ofwhich is induced or up-regulated during culture of M. tuberculosis undercontinuous culture conditions defined by a dissolved oxygen tension ofup to 10% air saturation measured at 37° C. when compared with adissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% air saturation measured at 37°C.
 13. A method of treating an M. tuberculosis infection, comprisingadministering to a patient an isolated peptide, wherein said isolatedpeptide is: (i) a fragment of an isolated M. tuberculosis peptideselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 89, whereinsaid fragment has at least 35 amino acid residues; or (ii) a fusionprotein of (i) wherein said fragment or fusion protein has a commonantigenic cross-reactivity to said isolated M. tuberculosis peptide; andwherein the M. tuberculosis peptide is encoded by a gene the expressionof which is induced or up-regulated during culture of M. tuberculosisunder continuous culture conditions defined by a dissolved oxygentension of up to 10% air saturation measured at 37° C. when comparedwith a dissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% air saturation measuredat 37° C.
 14. A diagnostic reagent for identifying a mycobacterialinfection, comprising an isolated peptide, wherein said isolated peptideis: (i) a fragment of an isolated M. tuberculosis peptide selected fromthe group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 89, wherein said fragment hasat least 35 amino acid residues; or (ii) a fusion protein of (i);wherein said fragment or fusion protein has a common antigeniccross-reactivity to said isolated M. tuberculosis peptide; and whereinthe M. tuberculosis peptide is encoded by a gene the expression of whichis induced or up-regulated during culture of M. tuberculosis undercontinuous culture conditions defined by a dissolved oxygen tension ofup to 10% air saturation measured at 37° C. when compared with adissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% air saturation measured at 37°C.
 15. A method of diagnosing a mycobacterial infection, comprising thesteps of: (i) incubating a biological sample with an isolated peptide,wherein said isolated peptide is a fragment of an isolated M.tuberculosis peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:39 and 89, wherein said fragment has at least 35 amino acid residues;wherein said fragment has a common antigenic cross-reactivity to saidisolated M. tuberculosis peptide; and wherein the M. tuberculosispeptide is encoded by a gene the expression of which is induced orup-regulated during culture of M. tuberculosis under continuous cultureconditions defined by a dissolved oxygen tension of up to 10% airsaturation measured at 37° C. when compared with a dissolved oxygentension of at least 40% air saturation measured at 37° C.; and (ii)detecting antibodies to mycobacteria, wherein said antibodies bind tosaid peptide fragment, and thereby detecting mycobacterial infection.16. A medicament for reducing the severity or intensity of amycobacterial infection, or for preventing mycobacterial diseaseprogression, comprising an isolated M. tuberculosis peptide selectedfrom the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 89, or a fusion proteinthereof, wherein said fusion protein has a common antigeniccross-reactivity to said isolated peptide; wherein the peptide isencoded by a gene the expression of which is induced or up-regulatedduring culture of M. tuberculosis under continuous culture conditionsdefined by a dissolved oxygen tension of up to 10% air saturationmeasured at 37° C. when compared with a dissolved oxygen tension of atleast 40% air saturation measured at 37° C.
 17. A method of reducing theseverity or intensity of a mycobacterial infection, or of preventingmycobacterial disease progression, comprising administering to a patientan isolated M. tuberculosis peptide selected from the group consistingof SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 89, or a fusion protein thereof, wherein saidfusion protein has a common antigenic cross-reactivity to said isolatedpeptide; wherein the peptide is encoded by a gene the expression ofwhich is induced or up-regulated during the culture of M. tuberculosisunder continuous culture conditions defined by a dissolved oxygentension of up to 10% air saturation measured at 37° C. when comparedwith a dissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% air saturation measuredat 37° C.
 18. A medicament for reducing the severity or intensity of amycobacterial infection, or for preventing mycobacterial diseaseprogression, comprising an isolated peptide, wherein said isolatedpeptide is: (i) a variant having at least 90% amino acid homology with apeptide selected from the group consisting of: (a) an isolated M.tuberculosis peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:39 and 89; and (b) a fragment of (a) having at least 35 amino acidresidues; or (ii) a fusion protein of (i); wherein said variant,fragment or fusion protein has a common antigenic cross-reactivity tosaid isolated M. tuberculosis peptide; and wherein the M. tuberculosispeptide is encoded by a gene the expression of which is induced orup-regulated during culture of M. tuberculosis under continuous cultureconditions defined by a dissolved oxygen tension of up to 10% airsaturation measured at 37° C. when compared with a dissolved oxygentension of at least 40% air saturation measured at 37° C.
 19. Amedicament for reducing the severity or intensity of a mycobacterialinfection, or for preventing mycobacterial disease progression,comprising an isolated peptide, wherein said peptide is; (i) a fragmentof an isolated M. tuberculosis peptide selected from the groupconsisting of SEQ ID NOs: 39 or 89, wherein said fragment has at least35 amino acid residues; or (ii) a fusion protein of (i); wherein saidfragment or fusion protein has a common antigenic cross-reactivity tosaid isolated M. tuberculosis peptide; and wherein the M. tuberculosispeptide is encoded by a gene the expression of which is induced orup-regulated during culture of M. tuberculosis under continuous cultureconditions defined by a dissolved oxygen tension of up to 10% airsaturation measured at 37° C. when compared with a dissolved oxygentension of at least 40% air saturation measured at 37° C.
 20. A methodof reducing the severity or intensity of a mycobacterial infection, orof preventing mycobacterial disease progression, comprisingadministering to a patient an isolated peptide, wherein said peptide is:(i) a fragment of an isolated M. tuberculosis peptide selected from thegroup consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 39 or 89, wherein said fragment has atleast 35 amino acid residues; or (ii) a fusion protein of (i); whereinsaid fragment or fusion protein has a common antigenic cross-reactivityto said isolated M. tuberculosis peptide; and wherein the M.tuberculosis peptide is encoded by a gene the expression of which isinduced or up-regulated during culture of M. tuberculosis undercontinuous culture conditions defined by a dissolved oxygen tension ofup to 10% air saturation measured at 37° C. when compared with adissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% air saturation measured at 37°C.
 21. An isolated peptide, wherein said peptide is (i) a fragment of apolypeptide, wherein said polypeptide is a variant having at least 90%amino acid homology with an isolated M. tuberculosis peptide selectedfrom the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 89, wherein saidfragment has at least 35 amino acid residues; or (ii) a fusion proteinof (i); wherein said fragment, variant or fusion protein has a commonantigenic cross-reactivity to said isolated M. tuberculosis peptide; andwherein the M. tuberculosis peptide is encoded by a gene the expressionof which is induced or up-regulated during culture of M. tuberculosisunder continuous culture conditions defined by a dissolved oxygentension of up to 10% air saturation measured at 37° C. when comparedwith a dissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% air saturation measuredat 37° C.
 22. A therapeutic agent for combating mycobacterialinfections, comprising an isolated peptide, wherein said isolatedpeptide is (i) a fragment of a polypeptide, wherein said polypeptide isa variant having at least 90% amino acid homology with an isolated M.tuberculosis peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:39 and 89, wherein said fragment has at least 35 amino acid residues; or(ii) a fusion protein of (i); wherein said fragment, variant or fusionprotein has a common antigenic cross-reactivity to said isolated M.tuberculosis peptide; and wherein the M. tuberculosis peptide is encodedby a gene the expression of which is induced or up-regulated duringculture of M. tuberculosis under continuous culture conditions definedby a dissolved oxygen tension of up to 10% air saturation measured at37° C. when compared with a dissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% airsaturation measured at 37° C.
 23. A medicament for treating amycobacterial infection, comprising an isolated peptide, wherein saidisolated peptide is (i) a fragment of a polyp eptide, wherein saidpolypeptide is a variant having at least 90% amino acid homology with anisolated M. tuberculosis peptide selected from the group consisting ofSEQ ID NOs: 39 and 89, wherein said fragment has at least 35 amino acidresidues; or (ii) a fusion protein of (i); wherein said fragment,variant or fusion protein has a common antigenic cross-reactivity tosaid isolated M. tuberculosis peptide; and wherein the M. tuberculosispeptide is encoded by a gene the expression of which is induced orup-regulated during culture of M. tuberculosis under continuous cultureconditions defined by a dissolved oxygen tension of up to 10% airsaturation measured at 37° C. when compared with a dissolved oxygentension of at least 40% air saturation measured at 37° C.
 24. Adiagnostic reagent for identifying a mycobacterial infection, comprisingan isolated peptide, wherein said isolated peptide is (i) a fragment ofa polypeptide, wherein said polypeptide is a variant having at least 90%amino acid homology with an isolated M. tuberculosis peptide selectedfrom the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 89, wherein saidfragment has at least 35 amino acid residues; or (ii) a fusion proteinof (i); wherein said fragment, variant or fusion protein has a commonantigenic cross-reactivity to said isolated M. tuberculosis peptide; andwherein the M. tuberculosis peptide is encoded by a gene the expressionof which is induced or up-regulated during culture of M. tuberculosisunder continuous culture conditions defined by a dissolved oxygentension of up to 10% air saturation measured at 37° C. when comparedwith a dissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% air saturation measuredat 37° C.
 25. A medicament for reducing the severity or intensity of amycobacterial infection, or for preventing mycobacterial diseaseprogression, comprising an isolated peptide, wherein said isolatedpeptide is: (i) a fragment of a polyp eptide, wherein said polypeptideis a variant having at least 90% amino acid homology with an isolated M.tuberculosis peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:39 and 89, wherein said fragment has at least 35 amino acid residues; or(ii) a fusion protein of (i); wherein said fragment, variant or fusionprotein has a common antigenic cross-reactivity to said isolated M.tuberculosis peptide; and wherein the M. tuberculosis peptide is encodedby a gene the expression of which is induced or up-regulated duringculture of M. tuberculosis under continuous culture conditions definedby a dissolved oxygen tension of up to 10% air saturation measured at37° C. when compared with a dissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% airsaturation measured at 37° C.